You may or may not have heard, but legislation has recently passed banning children under the age of 16 from accessing social media. This can significantly impact many people, seeing as the previous age for social media registration was around 13. But why has the government taken this unprecedented action? Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said…
”“We’ve passed important legislation to keep our kids safe online. Social media is doing social harm to our kids. We’ve called time on it. We want our kids to have a childhood and parents to know we have their backs.”
So, how will this legislation impact you, children and parents holistically? Let’s explore this vital topic and delve deeper into the adverse effects of social media on Australia’s youth.
How has social media affected parenting?
If we’re a parent, the announcement of the social media bill can raise questions about our parenting style. We might ask, “Am I a bad parent?” or “Did I fail my child by allowing them to use social media?” In this digital age, the internet is unavoidable, so it is less about who is wrong and more about how we might teach our children about the dangers of social media.
The eSafety Commissioner has reported that 94% of Aussie kids have used the internet by age 4. As such, supervision and education is important – and it’s never too late. In reality, UNICEF Australia says taking a proactive stance and talking to your child about social media is the best way forward:
- Ask about their experiences online, find out their interests, and why they enjoy social media.
- While there are pros to social media, they also need to know the dangers – bullying, harassment, and predatory behaviour.
- Engage with your kids and educate them on the consequences of negative behaviours like bullying and tell them that it’s never okay.
- Educate your kids on navigating the internet safely, protecting their privacy, and thinking before acting.
Why has Australia passed a social media ban?
The decision is a world-first and aims to protect children from the harms of the online realm. While social media presents many benefits, the cons have seemingly outweighed the pros. The Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, has said:
”“Keeping children safe online, and the passage of this vital legislation is just one way we’re delivering on this commitment. We’ve listened to young people, parents and carers, experts and industry in developing these landmark laws to ensure they are centred on protecting young people – not isolating them… We know these laws are novel, but to do nothing is simply not an option.”
Taking place during the last sitting season of Parliament in late November, the bill saw bipartisan support; however, many crossbenchers voted against its passage. That said, this did not hinder the bill, which will come into effect in late 2025 – according to SBS.
How can social media cause harm?
Social media is ubiquitous. The ease of accessing platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok is now at the touch of a button on your phone, computer, and tablet. As of October 2024, Statista reports that over 5 billion users are subscribed to some form of social media platform globally. For perspective, that equates to over 63.8% of the global population.
The surge in tablet and mobile popularity has also resulted in many of Australia’s youth turning to iPads and iPhones for entertainment. According to the Royal Children’s Hospital, 59% of primary school kids own a tablet device, whereas 71% of teenagers reported using their smartphones daily.
It’s important to note: social media can have many pros. The online sphere can encourage connection, allow people to stay informed, and offer entertainment. But with most things in life, a negative can often be present. But how does social media cause harm?
Types of harms facing Aussie kids on social media
There are many issues associated with social media use. Exposure to unrealistic beauty and body standards can plague each platform, distorting many people’s views on their own body image – particularly young people. Also, social media can create a cauldron of comparing ourselves to others, such as how we live, our wealth status, and more, which can induce negative feelings.
The Mayo Clinic says social media use can adversely affect many of our nation’s youth by:
- Causing distractions from work, school and more.
- Disrupting their sleep.
- Spreading misinformation or causing alarmism.
- Manipulating views and beliefs.
- Exposing Aussie youth to online predators and creating increased vulnerability.
- Increasing the chances of bullying, allowing people to reach their victims outside of school, which pervades every aspect of their lives unchecked.
What the social media ban intends to do & who will be expected to prevent children from using social media
With the above being of significant concern, the ban will seek to reduce and curb psychological and physical harm. The Australian population has also had their say. A recent YouGov survey highlighted that 77% supported a social ban for Aussie kids. But who will be expected to monitor and prevent Aussie kids from creating a social media account?
The onus is not on parents or guardians to mitigate social media use. Instead, it will be on the social media platforms themselves to limit exposure. TikTok, Meta, Snapchat and more will be legally bound to ‘age-restrict’ their platform, essentially precluding access for young people. Should any breach occur, fines of up to $49.5 million could be dished out to said platforms. As a result, this landmark legislation will be watched by the world and used as a test case to see if the change will prove effective.
We can offer support to you and your children
You and your children may feel uneasy about the recent social media legislation. Some kids may feel the bill is unjust and will limit their ability to connect with their friends and family. If you and your child needs support traversing this uncertain time, we are here to help! If we’re your workplace EAP provider, we offer a family counselling service that’s available to you and your immediate family members – including your children. Get in touch today or book an appointment via our website!
