South Australia’s social media ban: protective or pointless?
The South Australia government continues to push forward with a proposed ban on social media for people under 14, prompted by rising concern around the potential impact social media presents for their mental wellbeing.
Earlier last month, the state’s Premier, Peter Malinauskas released a report by the former Chief Justice of the High Court the Honourable Robert French AC. The report outlines legislative framework to ban children from creating social media accounts and would put responsibility on social media companies to establish parental consent before allowing children aged 14 and 15 to use their platforms. The Social Media Safety Bill, intends to regulate online platforms to prevent young people under 14 from encountering harmful content through social media.
While a number of parents, experts and academics remain in support, others are questioning if a ban is the right move.
Dr Dana McKay from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, warns that a ban could run the risk of pushing children further toward dangerous online spaces.