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Australian Parliament bans social media for under-16s

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181–190 of 345 posts

Re: Australian Parliament bans social media for under-16s

#181

While I appreciate the sentiment of this legislation, removing social media access for everyone under 16 years to address the concerns of a few is a nanny state act. As a parent, you should be making these decisions for your children - not your government. Additionally, I would suggest it won't address the actual issue. The named/identified social media companies will comply as required, younger internet users will s…

“Nanny state” is fine when you’re talking about children.

Re: Australian Parliament bans social media for under-16s

#182

As an Australian parent this is really pleasing to see. It's clearly inspired heavily by the work of Jon Haidt and Jean Twenge et al. The kids are not okay and the main thing stopping a worried parent from addressing it is that "all the other kids are on it". If you have an addicted/bullied child would you make them a social pariah and create interminable arguments by taking away their devices? Collective action is n…

> If you have an addicted/bullied child would you make them a social pariah and create interminable arguments by taking away their devices?

Yes. That is literally your job as the parent. If there was some teenage trend of injecting heroin, nobody would accept "but my kid's social life might suffer" as a reason to not stop them from doing heroin. It similarly does not suffice as a reason to not stop your kids from using social media. If it really is that bad for your kids, you have a duty to stop them regardless of what other kids (and their parents) do.

Re: Australian Parliament bans social media for under-16s

#183

As an Australian parent this is really pleasing to see. It's clearly inspired heavily by the work of Jon Haidt and Jean Twenge et al. The kids are not okay and the main thing stopping a worried parent from addressing it is that "all the other kids are on it". If you have an addicted/bullied child would you make them a social pariah and create interminable arguments by taking away their devices? Collective action is n…

Are these same parents unable to tell their children "no you can't stay out late it's a school night"

Re: Australian Parliament bans social media for under-16s

#184
This legislation is a bold step, but it raises a lot of questions about implementation and unintended consequences. While protecting children from online harms is undoubtedly important, enforcing an age limit like this on social media platforms could be incredibly challenging

Re: Australian Parliament bans social media for under-16s

#185

This legislation is a bold step, but it raises a lot of questions about implementation and unintended consequences. While protecting children from online harms is undoubtedly important, enforcing an age limit like this on social media platforms could be incredibly challenging

It already works for gambling. It will reduce the access to adults, of course, but I can't say it'd see it as a negative

Re: Australian Parliament bans social media for under-16s

#186

As an Australian parent this is really pleasing to see. It's clearly inspired heavily by the work of Jon Haidt and Jean Twenge et al. The kids are not okay and the main thing stopping a worried parent from addressing it is that "all the other kids are on it". If you have an addicted/bullied child would you make them a social pariah and create interminable arguments by taking away their devices? Collective action is n…

This perspective highlights a key aspect often overlooked in debates about such laws: the social dynamics of parenting. You’re absolutely right that the “all the other kids are on it” pressure can make it almost impossible for individual parents to set boundaries without isolating their child

Re: Australian Parliament bans social media for under-16s

#187
post #56

I personally welcome this change. Anecdotally, I experienced unimpeded and unsupervised internet access throughout my younger teenage years, and was exposed to some truly horrendous material courtesy of the bigger social platforms. My parents knew I used social media. They believed it was fine because it was "just MySpace and Facebook". Meanwhile, I witnessed large amounts of open bullying between my peers, recording…

I started using the internet unsupervised heavily in my tweens in the early 2000's and came across some horrendous stuff pretty early. Despite that, for me I think it's been a net positive and I would like my children to grow up in a similar environment. The lasting qualities I think it's given me are: - An open mindedness and the ability to examine issues from multiple angles - A thick skin against shocking material…

Nothing I have ever seen on the internet comes anywhere close to what I was dealing with IRL.

Re: Australian Parliament bans social media for under-16s

#188

As an Australian parent this is really pleasing to see. It's clearly inspired heavily by the work of Jon Haidt and Jean Twenge et al. The kids are not okay and the main thing stopping a worried parent from addressing it is that "all the other kids are on it". If you have an addicted/bullied child would you make them a social pariah and create interminable arguments by taking away their devices? Collective action is n…

My nephew is denied a smartphone due to low grades. Seems like a good enough excuse. Granted, it can work only if your country allows low grades.

Re: Australian Parliament bans social media for under-16s

#189

As an Australian parent this is really pleasing to see. It's clearly inspired heavily by the work of Jon Haidt and Jean Twenge et al. The kids are not okay and the main thing stopping a worried parent from addressing it is that "all the other kids are on it". If you have an addicted/bullied child would you make them a social pariah and create interminable arguments by taking away their devices? Collective action is n…

As an Australian parent myself, let me say this legislation is useless and you need to stop hiding behind stupid government legislation pandering to the lowest common denominator in place of your parenting.

The “the government won’t let me let you use social media” is one of the most stupid and ridiculous arguments I’ve heard a mature adult make to a juvenile. Your kid is likely to see it as spineless, then go ahead and make a fake login to their favourite social media site without telling you.

I have a 14 year old and a soon to be 17 year old. Just have a conversation with them about social media. Now they are just going to hide their use of it with you and you won’t be able to guide them when their use of it goes wrong.

Re: Australian Parliament bans social media for under-16s

#190

While I appreciate the sentiment of this legislation, removing social media access for everyone under 16 years to address the concerns of a few is a nanny state act. As a parent, you should be making these decisions for your children - not your government. Additionally, I would suggest it won't address the actual issue. The named/identified social media companies will comply as required, younger internet users will s…

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