We’ve made it onto the global stage—but not for reasons we’re proud of.
When news broke of Australia’s social media ban, countries around the world picked up on a pattern. For one, as noted in Recorded Future News’ award-winning Click Here podcast, Australia has not only introduced one of the strictest digital laws—a social media ban for under-16s—but also the TOLA Act, referred to as one of the strictest surveillance laws in the world.
The podcast (and this Politico article) provide more insight into the intentions of Julie Inman-Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner (and also, an American), regarding the social media ban.
According to Inman-Grant, the social media ban isn’t just about age-gating kids—it’s about a broader cultural shift. She compares it to the movement in the U.S. Congress during the 1970s to make cars safer. Just as that movement brought life-saving technology like airbags and anti-lock brakes, Inman-Grant envisions a similar concept for social media: virtual seat belts and digital guardrails to prevent the next tech wreck from happening.
Social media has obviously wrecked havoc in recent years: to our wallets, mental health, government systems, and attention spans. And predictably, it has also become the sole scapegoat for all of the aforementioned issues.
Still, a blanket ban isn’t the solution—especially when it comes to the privacy of adults.
EFA’s opinion on this doesn’t necessarily follow the norm, which Chair John Pane explains in the podcast interview. Banning social media won’t make kids flock back to an offline, outdoors way of play reminiscent of the 1970s. Plus, a ban puts too much power into the hands of one regulatory body in the absence of parliamentary debate, and infringes on children’s autonomy, expression, human rights, and self-expression. More importantly, how can you prove someone is underage? You can’t without getting them to first prove they’re not…
Catch John Pane’s full interview here, and then decide where you stand. Share your thoughts with us on Facebook and Mastodon.
(Image credit: Politico)