Australia is to introduce legislation that bars children under 16 from social media to keep young people safer online. The move was announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and this will be taken to parliament next week. It is designed to address the growing worries of parents over the safety of their children on social media. "This one is for the mums and dads... They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our kids online. I want Australian families to know that the government has your back," said Albanese. He announced that the government would want all of the family to works towards protecting their children from the risk factors they are exposed online.
Details about the proposed ban
In this policy, the proposed law would apply to all children under the age of 16, with no exemptions even if they have their parental consent. The policy would be implemented by the E-Safety Commissioner of Australia and the companies would be required to prove their actions in blocking under-age users. The Act would be implemented 12 months after its passage date and a review post-implementation would be scheduled to gauge its effectiveness and problems.
Experts believe that social media can have harmful effects on the mental wellbeing of young people but they differ on how a total ban is going to help. Some believe that children require instructions rather than restrictions. Implying that youngsters should be taught how to mitigate risks on those controversial platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. They cite United Nations recommendations that national policies should focus on safe access to digital spaces for children so they could reap the positive effects of online engagement while minimizing risks. While some says that persons under 16 years old are not as prepared to be exposed to the pressures and exposure of social media. They have also stated that mental health and excess use of social media in its process affect brain development.
Social Media's Hidden Dangers
(In Photo- Denali Brehmer)
The disturbing case of Denali Brehmer highlights just how dangerous social media can be, showing its potential to influence even to do the most extreme actions. Brehmer, a 21-year-old woman from Anchorage, Alaska, was drawn into an online relationship with Darin Schilmiller who convinced Brehmer to kill someone of her choice in exchange of $9 million. Under his influence Brehmer, along with friends Kayden McIntosh and Caleb Leyland carried out the brutal murder of her best friend, Cynthia Hoffman. Brehmer sent him photos and videos of the crime through Snapchat as proof. This tragic incident highlights the dark side of social media and the ease with which strangers can manipulate others on digital platforms. Reminding us that online personas may not be as they appear and can even lead towards tragic decisions.
Inputs by Agencies
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