{"id":73301,"date":"2024-06-26T00:00:12","date_gmt":"2024-06-26T04:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/world.edu\/?p=73301"},"modified":"2024-06-26T00:00:12","modified_gmt":"2024-06-26T04:00:12","slug":"we-know-social-media-bans-are-unlikely-to-work-so-how-can-we-keep-young-people-safe-online","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/world.edu\/we-know-social-media-bans-are-unlikely-to-work-so-how-can-we-keep-young-people-safe-online\/","title":{"rendered":"We know social media bans are unlikely to work. So how can we keep young people safe online?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

A war has erupted around young people\u2019s use social media and it is messy. In the United States, surgeon general Vivek Murthy\u00a0has recommended<\/a>\u00a0cigarette packet-like warnings for platforms like Instagram to remind teens and parents social media \u201chas not proved safe\u201d.<\/p>\n

In Australia, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton\u00a0says<\/a>\u00a0he would ban social media for those under 16 within 100 days, if the Coalition wins the next election. Announcing the policy,\u00a0Dutton argued<\/a>\u00a0social media is to blame for \u201ca high prevalence of many health conditions, issues around body image [and] bullying online\u201d.<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese\u00a0also backs a ban<\/a>\u00a0\u201cif it can be effective\u201d. Meanwhile, Education Minister Jason Clare\u00a0describes<\/a>\u00a0social media as a \u201ccesspit\u201d.<\/p>\n

Technology experts\u00a0have already<\/a>\u00a0noted legal bans and age verification is very hard to enforce.<\/p>\n

But we also need to view this from an a digital literacy perspective. A social media ban only delays young people\u2019s exposure to these platforms, it does not help them to manage or learn anything. When they eventually start using these platforms, the same algorithms will still be at work, shaping their perceptions and behaviours.<\/p>\n

If we want to keep children safe online, we need to approach this differently.<\/p>\n

What is the big picture?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

It is understandable there is concern about young people\u2019s safety and health on social media.<\/p>\n

The massive uptake of social media over the past decade has seen human interactions\u00a0change drastically<\/a>. This is because it puts us in contact with a huge range of people. It creates new relationships and connections with others, and reshapes existing ones.<\/p>\n

At the same time, depression and anxiety have reached\u00a0unprecedented levels<\/a>\u00a0among young people. So it is\u00a0often assumed<\/a>\u00a0social media is the sole cause.<\/p>\n

This overlooks all the other factors that contribute to the stress and burden young people feel. For example, survey research\u00a0shows<\/a>\u00a0young Australians are also worried about the cost of living, violence in public places, the environment and discrimination.<\/p>\n

Young people also\u00a0use social media<\/a>\u00a0to understand these issues, share their struggles with each other and escape from them. So it does not work to simply say \u201cless social media will see improved mental health\u201d.<\/p>\n

Underpinning calls for a social media ban is the idea young people are \u201cnot able to control themselves\u201d and need adult intervention. But we forget platforms are run by\u00a0corporate giants<\/a>\u00a0who use aggressive approaches and algorithms to keep users, both young and old, engaged.<\/p>\n

In theory, algorithms only present content a user may be interested in. What actually happens is\u00a0content is shaped<\/a>\u00a0to encourage longer time on the app, consumer spending, extreme reactions and sharing.
\n<c<\/p>\n

What is working?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

So there is \u201cgood\u201d and \u201cbad\u201d use of social media and it is important to be able to differentiate this in our discussions.<\/p>\n

We know it can help young people by providing connection and support. A 2022\u00a0research review<\/a>\u00a0showed social media platforms can provide LGBTQ young people with their own space, potentially helping mental health and wellbeing. It can help young people connect with their peers and support marginalised identities.<\/p>\n

Studies\u00a0also show<\/a>\u00a0social media interventions (or programs run through these platforms) can significantly decrease the severity of anxiety and depression in young people.<\/p>\n

But it needs to be the right platform and quality content (based on evidence) and delivered in ways young people will respond to. Just because it is on TikTok does not mean it will automatically be meaningful for them.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s not working<\/strong><\/h4>\n

But some things are not helping young people on social media at the moment.<\/p>\n

A<\/p>\n

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We\u2019ve got to put the technology in place so kids don\u2019t get access to this cesspit. pic.twitter.com\/99hiV0231t<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jason Clare MP (@JasonClareMP) June 14, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n