A powerful social media showdown is brewing in Australia, with global implications. The Australian government’s move to ban social media for users under 16 has prompted tech giants and their celebrity influencers to prepare for a “ground war,” according to leaked government documents.
Australia’s eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, warns that tech companies, concerned about losing advertising revenue from millions of young users, will use their most famous influencers to sway public opinion against the new law.
Intense Pressure
The conflict highlights the intense pressure governments face when regulating global tech platforms.
Leaked emails reveal the eSafety commissioner’s blunt assessment: the tech industry’s arguments against the ban are “moot,” and their concerns are primarily about monetisation.
The documents also expose the lobbying efforts of major players, with meetings between ministers and the CEOs of YouTube and Snapchat.
If Australia, a key Western nation, can successfully impose these strict age restrictions, it could inspire similar policies in other countries, creating a significant global ripple effect on how social media platforms operate and who they can target.
Growing UK Debate
There’s a growing debate in the UK about how to protect children online, and recent campaigns are bringing this issue to the forefront. Miranda Wilson’s “Teched Off” campaign, alongside groups like “Health Professionals for Safer Screens,” is pushing for significant changes. They argue that the current landscape, where social media and smartphones are easily accessible to children, is a public health crisis. Their calls for legislation to ban under-16s from social media and for a public education campaign for parents are gaining momentum.
This movement highlights the concerns shared by parents and professionals across the country. Health professionals, including speech and language therapists, have noted a direct link between excessive screen time and issues like poor sleep, body image concerns, and even developmental delays in young children. While the UK has the Online Safety Act 2023 in place, which requires tech companies to protect children from harmful content and enforce age limits, campaigners argue it doesn’t go far enough. They believe that a blanket ban is needed to truly safeguard children, especially at a critical time in their development and academic lives, such as during exams.
More Evidence Needed
The government acknowledges the complexities of this issue, stating that more evidence is needed before drawing firm conclusions. They have commissioned a study led by the University of Cambridge to better understand the impact of smartphones and social media on children’s well-being. This response, however, isn’t enough for campaigners who point to a recent successful project in a Somerset school where removing phones during school hours led to a significant positive impact on students’ academic performance. They contend that this, along with a mountain of clinical observations, is enough evidence to warrant immediate action.
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