ARACY’s Post

🌏 Australia Takes Bold Step: Social Media Ban for Under-16s 🚫📱 In a landmark move, Australia has approved a law prohibiting social media use for children under 16 without parental consent. This legislation aims to address rising concerns around mental health, cyberbullying, and online safety for young users. Supporters see this as a necessary step to protect vulnerable minds in an increasingly digital world. Critics, however, question its enforceability and potential impacts on young people’s access to education and social connection online. This decision sparks a global conversation: How do we balance safeguarding children with fostering digital literacy and connection? Will other countries follow suit, or are there better solutions to addressing the risks of social media? A bold move that may reshape the way we think about tech and youth. Source: TechCrunch #SocialMedia #YouthSafety #DigitalWellness #Australia

At the #SocialMediaSummitNSWSA, the complexities of social media’s impact on mental health, privacy, and child safety were front and center. While there was a strong push for restrictions, my view remains that bans won’t work. They fail to address the deeper issues at play like social and emotional literacy, digital skills, exposure to harmful content, and unchecked data practices. Yet, amidst all the discussions, I couldn’t help but feel we were circling familiar ideas. Are we truly engaging in solutions that address the root causes, or are we stuck echoing the same concerns without real change? Being deeply engaged with young people, parents, educators and school leaders for over a decade, if nothing else, I welcome the exposure this debate is having on promoting and elevating online child safety, wellbeing and development. Julie Inman - Grant’s analogy of social media as a ‘digital playground’ was a powerful reminder—just like physical playgrounds, we need guardrails to ensure safety and wellbeing for all. An absolute standout was hearing from Youth Representative Billy, who shared an inspiring closing summary and a youth perspective on the digital rights of young people- reminding us that those most impacted need to be heard and involved in shaping the solutions. “Nothing about us without us!” Fuller (Youth Representative). The summit is available on rewatch here: https://lnkd.in/gENBipCx The NSW government facilitated a ‘have your say’ survey of community members about social media experiences and concerns. The full report here: https://lnkd.in/gxZJRX2E #esafety #childsafety #socialmedia #digitalliteracy #cybersafety #digitalwellbeing #youth #childprotection

Social Media Limits for Kids: How Australia's New Law Could Reshape Digital Youth Culture With rising cases of anxiety and depression linked to online activity, Australia’s draft laws signal a shift in digital policy, prioritizing youth mental health and well-being over unrestricted access. This could set a precedent globally.

🚨 Australia’s Proposed Ban on Social Media for Kids Under 16! In a bold move to protect children from the harm social media can cause, Australia’s government, has announced plans to introduce world-leading legislation to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. Age Limit: Children under 16 will be banned from accessing social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Parental Consent: No exceptions for parental consent, the responsibility will be on social media platforms to prevent underage access. No Penalties for Users: The enforcement will fall on the platforms, with the eSafety Commissioner overseeing the process. Implementation Timeline: The law will come into effect 12 months after it passes, with a review following its enforcement. The government’s primary goal is to safeguard children from the negative impacts of social media, such as cyberbullying, misinformation, and mental health issues. Some argue against the ban have mentioned that the ban only delays exposure to digital spaces, while others believe safety standards for platforms could be a more balanced approach. Child rights groups have voiced concerns that the ban might be too broad, calling for regulations that would help children engage safely with the digital world rather than restricting access altogether. Should governments step in to regulate social media use for kids, or is there a better way to equip young people to navigate the online world responsibly? #SocialMedia #OnlineSafety #MentalHealth #DigitalRegulation #Australia #ChildSafety #TechPolicy #SocialMediaBan

🚨 Australia Takes a Bold Step for Child Safety Online! 🚨 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced groundbreaking legislation aimed at banning children under 16 from social media. This "world-leading" initiative is a response to growing concerns over the harm social media inflicts on our youth. 👉 Key Highlights: 🔒No exemptions for kids with parental consent—social media platforms must prove they’re safeguarding our children. 🌐The eSafety Commissioner will enforce these new laws, ensuring accountability. 💡A review will follow after 12 months of implementation. While many experts agree that social media can negatively impact mental health, the effectiveness of an outright ban is up for debate. Critics argue it may delay exposure rather than educate young users on navigating these platforms safely. 💬 What are your thoughts? Is this ban a necessary measure for protecting our children, or should we focus on educating them about the digital landscape? #ChildSafety #SocialMedia #MentalHealth #PolicyChange #Australia #DigitalWellbeing #cyberbullying

I had the honor of collaborating with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Kids Online Health and Safety Task Force to host a Stanford Internet Observatory event with youth leaders and experts from across Silicon Valley and DC. It is clear that the status quo for online safety and well-being is not acceptable, but policy action could result in unintended consequences. Luckily there are dedicated trust and safety professionals, doctors, researchers, policymakers and youth leaders working together in this all-hands effort. We kicked off the event with a phenomenal presentation and panel discussion with youth leaders to frame the event with their testimonials and recommendations. (Many thanks to youth leaders at GoodforMEdia and Unwiring, and to the Stanford Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing and Social Media Lab for making that possible!) The clear theme from the day was nuance. There is no single solution to address online risks, and no two teens or social platforms are the same. There is a clear sense of urgency, especially from teens and their parents. Youth leaders also called attention to larger societal issues and poor examples of device usage from their parents or guardians. This is a complex issue, but attendees agreed on the need for accountability through industry guidance and public policy. There were clear ideas to foster collaboration, empower and protect young people online and hold social media companies accountable. Improving youth safety, mental health and well-being requires a broad societal effort. There is a need for more education and access to health resources. Family and community also have an important role in providing support and a positive example for young people. We didn't solve everything in one day, but there were clear recommendations and the federal task force will release industry guidance, public policy recommendations and parental resources later this spring. The Stanford Internet Observatory will also publish a more in-depth report with key findings and recommendations from the event. The event was held under Chatham House Rule to allow open discussion, and we want to help put those ideas into action. Special thanks to Jeff Hancock, Elena Cryst, Vicki Harrison, Sunny Liu, Shubhi Mathur, Marilyn Lopez Mota, Ben Rosenthal, Michelle Pualuan, David Havasy and all of the Stanford staff, faculty and students who made this event possible! Many thanks to Emma Llanso for making this unique collaboration with the federal task force possible and her dedication to helping lead the task force's work. I had the privilege to co-facilitate a public policy session with the amazing Maria Conticelli. And there is also no amount of thanks that I can give to our amazing participants — this event was about hearing from you! https://lnkd.in/e8wS3HdN

**Australia Becomes First Country to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16** In a landmark decision, Australia has become the first country to ban social media use for children under 16. This bold step is aimed at addressing growing concerns about the negative impact of social media on young minds, including cyberbullying, mental health issues, and privacy risks. The new law mandates strict age verification measures on platforms, holding companies accountable with heavy penalties for non-compliance. While the move has been applauded for prioritizing children’s well-being and data privacy, it has also sparked debates about enforcement and the potential for social isolation. This decision is a wake-up call for the world to rethink how social media affects children. Will other countries follow suit? Let’s discuss how we can strike the right balance between technology and child safety. #ChildSafety #SocialMedia #Australia #MentalHealth

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 Australia's social media ban for minors is a noble but ultimately shortsighted attempt to protect young minds. While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's concerns echo the anxieties of many parents, this approach risks creating a false sense of security. Children, like any savvy digital natives, will likely find ways around these restrictions. While limiting access to the dopamine-fueled hellscape of likes, shares, and algorithmically amplified outrage is laudable in theory, it fails to address the root psychological drivers behind our digital addictions. Instead of shielding them from social media entirely, we can empower them to make informed choices and build healthy online habits. Evidence suggests that social media is not inherently detrimental; rather, it is the context and manner of use that shape its impact on mental health. Instead of fostering an environment where kids can learn to navigate social media responsibly, this ban could inadvertently push them into less supervised, potentially riskier online spaces. It's more like throwing a blanket over a problem and hoping it goes away. What we really need is a holistic reckoning with the ways modern life has become gamified, individualized, and divorced from meaningful community. So, let's not pretend that this ban is going to solve the complex issues surrounding social media and young people. Thus, rather than erecting barriers, perhaps a more nuanced approach involving education and open dialogue would better equip young people to thrive in an increasingly digital world. #socialmedia #digitalprivacy #mentalhealth #technology #australia

KOSA: A Critical Step Toward Protecting Our Children As someone deeply invested in the mental health and well-being of future generations, I want to take a moment to encourage my network to support the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). This bipartisan legislation is an essential tool to ensure the digital platforms shaping our children’s lives prioritize their safety, mental health, and development. Here is why KOSA matters: 1. Accountability for Big Tech: KOSA places the onus on tech companies to mitigate risks like harmful algorithms, online predators, and exposure to inappropriate content. It’s time to ensure profits don’t come at the expense of our children’s safety. 2. Empowering Parents: The bill provides tools and transparency for parents, giving them the ability to make informed decisions about their children’s online activities. 3. Prioritizing Mental Health: With rising rates of anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying among young users, KOSA emphasizes the need for digital spaces that support—not harm—mental health. 4. Balancing Freedom and Protection: KOSA strikes a balance by safeguarding kids while preserving a digital environment where creativity and innovation can thrive responsibly. We are at a critical juncture where action is required to protect children in the digital age. This legislation is not about stifling innovation; it’s about putting guardrails in place to ensure the well-being of our youth. Let’s stand together in supporting a future where technology serves as a tool for growth, not harm. Contact your representatives and encourage them to back KOSA today and sign the petition here (https://lnkd.in/gxex6T3S) #ChildSafety #MentalHealthMatters #KOSA #DigitalWellness #ProtectOurYouth

Florida A&M University alum Jonathan N. Bertrand, founder of the Social Media Research Institute (SMRI), is advocating for measures to mitigate social media's negative effects. Bertrand's initiatives, including Social Media First Aid, aim to educate and protect users, particularly children. SMRI's works influences and supports legislation in the U.S. and proposals in Australia and other countries. Florida's new law requiring parental consent for minors' social media use highlights the growing concern over social media's impact on mental health and safety. For more details, you can read the full article