June 17th 2024.
The upcoming federal election has been a hot topic of discussion, with opposition leader Peter Dutton making a bold promise to introduce a ban on social media access for under-16s within his first 100 days in office, if the Coalition is victorious. This proposal has garnered support from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has referred to social media as a "scourge". Both leaders believe that there are parental and community expectations for social media to be better regulated and restricted, and since under-16s are not eligible to vote, they are a vulnerable group that needs protection.
However, not everyone agrees with this approach. Many experts have expressed their concerns and offered alternative solutions. They argue that a ban would not effectively address the wider social problem and that there are limitations to completely stop access to information. Instead, they suggest focusing on implementing age verification technologies for social media platforms, which are currently being trialed by the government.
Dr Anne McMaugh, a senior lecturer in educational psychology at Macquarie University, believes that even if a ban were put in place, it would not solve the underlying issue. She stresses the need to address the wider social problem, rather than just banning access to social media. Dr Marc Cheong, an information systems expert from the University of Melbourne, also questions the feasibility of enforcing a ban, citing the challenges in verifying age online.
Moreover, experts argue that banning access to social media could have negative consequences for children. RMIT University's Professor Lisa Given believes that it is a flawed approach to complex issues and that the potential harms that children face are not new. Others point out that cutting off teenagers from social media could have a detrimental impact on their mental health, as it deprives them of important connections with friends, family, and their community.
Professor Amanda Third from Western Sydney University highlights that there is no conclusive evidence that social media causes mental ill health. She argues that mental health is a complex issue and cannot be attributed to one cause. While some research shows a correlation between technology use and poor mental health in young people, it does not necessarily mean that social media is the cause.
However, there are experts who believe that raising the age limit for social media access could be beneficial. Dr Danielle Einstein from Macquarie University believes that it would empower schools, psychologists, and clinical psychologists and alleviate the mental health issues faced by young people today.
Instead of a ban, some experts suggest increasing education and promoting digital responsibility. Dr Fae Heaselgrave from the University of South Australia believes that the focus should be on building a nation of digitally responsible citizens who have the skills to navigate the online world and assess information critically. Others call for schools to play a role in teaching digital navigation to students.
There are also calls for better regulation from social media operators regarding the content on their platforms. Associate Professor Jordy Kaufman from Swinburn University believes that schools should have policies in place to prohibit students from using certain social media accounts or using them for certain purposes.
As the debate continues, it is clear that there is no easy solution to the issue of social media access for under-16s. While a ban may seem like a quick fix, experts argue that it is not the most effective approach and other solutions should be explored. Ultimately, the focus should be on promoting responsible digital citizenship and ensuring the safety and well-being of young people in the online world.
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