Australia Might Restrict Kids’ Access to Social Media — Here’s Why
By Movieguide® Contributor
Australia’s government has just announced its commitment to protecting its country’s children, and that means restricting at what age kids can create a social media account.
According to Kidscreen, “This threshold, which hasn’t been finalized yet, is expected to be between 14 and 16. The legislation will take cues from various levels of government, as well as insights from former chief justice of Australia’s High Court, Robert French. French handed in a lengthy 276-page report to the government last week about banning social media for kids under the age of 14.”
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shared a video on his social media that introduced the legislation and his reasoning behind it.
“I know you’re worried about the impact social media can have on young children and so am I,” Albanese began the video. “That’s why we’ll introduce legislation this year for a minimum age for social media. I want kids to have a childhood. I want them off their devices and onto the footy field and onto the netball courts. I want them to have real experiences with real people. Together we can get this done.”
“The law would put Australia among the first countries in the world to impose an age restriction on social media. Previous attempts, including by the European Union, have failed following complaints about reducing the online rights of minors,” Reuters reported.
However, similar restrictions have been put in place by states around the U.S. and a few other countries.
Florida passed a similar bill in March that bans “kids under 14 from having social media accounts. France’s government commissioned a report (which came out in April) arguing that kids shouldn’t be allowed to use phones until they’re 13, and should also be banned from social media until they’re 18. And beginning in June, a number of Canadian provinces started banning cellphones in school classrooms,” Kidscreen said.
It’s well-documented that social media damages kids’ and teen’s mental health. Movieguide® reported on several ways that parents can help their child limit screen time:
Set Screen Time Limits: Establish clear and consistent screen time limits for different activities, such as TV, video games and social media. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children aged 2 to 5 years should have no more than one hour of high-quality screen time per day, and children under 18 months should avoid screen time altogether.
Create Screen-Free Zones: Designate specific areas in your home, such as the dining room or bedrooms, where screens are not allowed. This helps prevent screens from intruding on family time and sleep.
Be a Role Model: Children often emulate the behavior of adults. If you want your child to spend less time on screens, be a positive role model by reducing your own screen time and engaging in non-screen activities.
Provide Alternative Activities: Encourage your child to engage in alternative activities like reading, outdoor play, creative arts and crafts or board games. Make these activities readily available and appealing.
Plan Screen Time: Instead of allowing unrestricted screen access, plan screen time as a part of your child’s daily routine. Set specific times for screen use, such as after homework or chores are completed.
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