Social Media & The 'Australia' Experiment

charlie clown · January 20

A lot of coverage in the media this morning about a potential inquiry into options to banning social media for under-16s. It's a big topic so I thought it was worth opening a separate thread.

My gut feel is that it's probably "A GOOD THING" for a number of reasons (impact on mental health, can't trust the tech bros to police and regulate effectively, facilitation of bullying, suicide, the chaos and disruption that it causes in education etc. But on the other hand I think diving in headfirst to that as a solution is a bit hasty when the full impacts of the Australian ban will not really be known for another few years.

I'm also a bit worried about two aspects of it. First of all what would fill the gaps because it seems to me that in the years that the socials have been dominating social interaction, the network of other stuff that kids should be able to rely on for support: outlets for energy, activity, creativity etc. (like youth clubs etc.) have been decimated by government underfunding and asset stripping. What will fill the void?

And then secondly, what happens with those isolated and disenfranchised people who rely on the socials for their community - the disabled, young carers, LGBQT+ etc.etc. What's the impacts going to be on them?

Will · January 20

This post is not viewable to guests.

You can sign in to your account at the login page here