Australia bans social media for children under 16. Should other countries do the same?

[Diesel59]

Australia has passed a law making social media illegal for anyone under 16:

Australian Parliament bans social media for under-16s with world-first law

The law will make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to $33 million for failures to prevent kids from holding accounts.

apnews.com

Do you guys think the United States and other countries should consider similar laws? Social media has proven to be harmful to young people, negatively impacting self esteem and body image. It also contributes to smartphone addiction and the health problems associated with that.

On the other hand, social media can be a useful tool to communicate and to make new friends.

 

[Yano]

Social media is antisocial and anti-societal. For all the good it could do , it is nothing but a bastion of liars , grifters , scoundrels and thieves.

 

[Thrawn]

Absolutely! Kids are fucking retarded in part because of SM

Worst regret ever was getting my daughter a phone. She is heavily regulated, restricted, and monitored, but I have noticed a huge change in her

 

[6FeetFromTheEdge]

Absolutely! Kids are fucking retarded in part because of SM

Worst regret ever was getting my daughter a phone. She is heavily regulated, restricted, and monitored, but I have noticed a huge change in her

They said this about videogames 20 years ago.

 

[j2048b]

Instagram has caused many a deaths of both body, and souls…. Its such a wasteland of self centeredness and has destroyed many o psyches

 

[j2048b]

They said this about videogames 20 years ago.

And now fortnight comes out saying it was built to be addictive…. Sooo there’s that…

 

[6FeetFromTheEdge]

And now fortnight comes out saying it was built to be addictive…. Sooo there’s that…

These modern games are cash grabs.

Back in the PS2 days we would just plug in and play. The controversial aspect was usually about the violence and sexual content of games.

 

[Thrawn]

They said this about videogames 20 years ago.

They did, but they did didn't have 24/7 access really until game boy.
And they sure as hell weren't allowed to use them at school.
Most games have a goal and a mission. Social media is a constant instant gratification/reward. Whether you realize it or not alot games taught lessons in choice, behavior, morals, ethics.
Social media there's no accountability or consequences for being a complete asshole and bully. Everything is fake and staged and no kids are comparing themselves to such unrealistic standards it's ridiculous. They glorify stupid milk crate challenges but holy shit if somebody has a true talent they get ignored.

 

[j2048b]

These modern games are cash grabs.

Back in the PS2 days we would just plug in and play. The controversial aspect was usually about the violence and sexual content of games.

Yeah thats true… and parental advisory labels were born…. And many a child murderers came running with scissors and switch blades

 

[Diesel59]

Instagram has caused many a deaths of both body, and souls…. Its such a wasteland of self centeredness and has destroyed many o psyches

It's crazy how many pretty girls have convinced themselves that they are ugly. And this is in the young adult demo.

I can only imagine how much worse it is for the teenagers with less brain power.

 

[CJ]

No.

Hard no.

Absofuckinglutey not!!!

Let parents do the parenting. I don't want, nor do I need, the government to tell me how to raise my child, or do the work for me. For this, or any other reason.

 

[MarekBocanek]

Well, think about the alcohol, prostitutes, gaming, gambling, stocks and derivatives- all used to be prohibited and the results is they gave up.

We must find a way how to live with it and educate kids (but actually also older people - in my family, it s mostly the generation 50/60+ that is an easy target.

But - i would support stronger checks when entering social media like live check and standard KYC, as incredible number of scammers with fake accounts or identity are behind crimes there

 

[Diesel59]

Well, think about the alcohol, prostitutes, gaming, gambling, stocks and derivatives- all used to be prohibited and the results is they gave up.

Was giving up on them good for society?

We must find a way how to live with it and educate kids (but actually also older people - in my family, it s mostly the generation 50/60+ that is an easy target.

But - i would support stronger checks when entering social media like live check and standard KYC, as incredible number of scammers with fake accounts or identity are behind crimes there

I didn't even think about this angle of it but that's a great point.

 

[almostgone]

As @CJ posted above. The bottom line is that parents are responsible for their children....or at least they should be, IMHO.

 

[bvs]

Im somewhat torn on this one
On one hand kids are very vulnerable online, on the other hand it can be a very useful tool in the right circumstance

Im also wary of government overreach and think it should be mostly left up to the parents to control their childrens access

 

[Thrawn]

I hate government in most things. Yes parents should be responsible for their kids. It is an age restriction not a ban. Just like we age restrict drugs, Cigs, alcohol, sex, consent, voting, driving, bank accounts, working age, tattoos, certain medical procedures. SM is designed to be addictive and is proven to be harmful especially to younger kids. So like above products an age restriction on the surface seems reasonable, considering the potential harm. Most western parents suck, our kids education is a world joke. The shit kids are exposed to weather directly bc social media or indirectly from other kids who use social media is insane. It's like if your yard is immaculate and weed free but all around you looks like shit, no matter how strong you roots are, weeds will make it in.

 

[Send0]

I honestly wish social media would just die in general. It's been garbage for years, and is mostly just filled with shit posting or political propaganda (doesn't matter which way you lean, there's left/right/moderate propaganda e everywhere), and more often than not it's filled with flat out lies presented as though it is fact/truth.

It hasn't been worth a shit since probably 2012 or earlier.

 

[Big-paul]

That is the first step. Next comes anything that the state feels is a threat to it's control. This is something that the left and right are looking at to promote right thinking.

Doesn't sound good to me. Free speech is ugly at times. This country has to think of something other than censorship.

 

[Diesel59]

It hasn't been worth a shit since probably 2012 or earlier.

This is a very interesting thought.

I enjoyed Myspace from 2006-08, before everyone jumped ship to Facebook. I then enjoyed Twitter from 2010-2012, but got bored of it over time.

Instagram is the only one that has held my attention long term, but I was way more into it back in 2014 when I first signed up. I'm growing to realize Instagram has had a negative impact on everything from people's self esteem to the way that gyms have completely changed for the worst in recent years.

 

[Thrawn]

That is the first step. Next comes anything that the state feels is a threat to it's control. This is something that the left and right are looking at to promote right thinking.

Doesn't sound good to me. Free speech is ugly at times. This country has to think of something other than censorship.

I mostly agree but it is so hard watching real life Idiocracy happen in front of your eyes. It truly feels like you're in a fucking airplane about to crash and can't do a thing about it. My daughter's school took away advanced math because the volunteer, a fucking volunteer, The largest school district in the state needs a volunteer for math who comes in and teaches the children during the regular math was needed more for kids who were behind the national average in 5th grade. Luckily I teach her when she gets home. But the school solution was to give them a website that they could go to during their free time at school!