Joseph Stanziani
Staff Writer
With social media in the pockets of billions of people around the world, especially children, the question has arisen as to how to protect minors from the negative effects of certain platforms. While many countries are still coming up with answers, Australia has come up with a possible solution. Australia is gaining headlines for the government’s controversial legislation regarding social media bans for children under 16.
The new law aims to protect the youth of Australia from the damage of social media. In an article by BBC, the Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese commented on the bill and his hope for its potential.
“This one is for the mums and dads … They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our kids online,” Albanese said. “I want Australian families to know that the government has your back.”
The age restriction would come into force 12 months after it passes.
However, there are many who oppose this bill saying that it is the wrong step in the direction of protecting youth on social media.
Some experts say that for marginalized groups, such as the LGBTQIA+ community, social media allows them to escape the prejudgment and bullying they face in the world. Julie Inman Grant, eSafety commissioner, commented on her concerns and the research that the Australian government has conducted, which concluded that social media has a direct link to adolescent mental health issues.
Furthermore, Grant went on to voice her concerns to Parliament earlier this year.
“We don’t fence the ocean” she said, saying this in the context of youth social media issues. “But we do create protected swimming environments that provide safeguards and teach important lessons from a young age.”
“I think that we’ve seen that, especially with our generation, that it’s been damaging us pretty bad,” said Evan Gabryluk, a freshmen student here at Florida Southern College. “I will say 16 is a bit too old to be banned from social media.”
While it is too early to tell the outcome of this law, it is evident that people from around the world like ordinary citizens and world leaders are eagerly watching the outcome of what could be a historic bill against social media.
