British comedian Ben Elton backs Australia’s impending social media ban for under 16s
The British comedian behind hit series Blackadder and The Young Ones “unequivocally supports” the Australia’s “brave” decision to stand up to big tech, arguing the it’s not about censorship but protection.
Legendary British-Australian comedian and writer Ben Elton says he “applauds unreservedly” Australia’s impending social media ban for under-16s.
The 66-year-old said the federal government was addressing “one of the most urgent cultural issues of the age”, saying the harm online platforms were causing younger generations was “unimaginable”.
“Social media, the iPhone and the internet have caused societal changes of unimaginable consequence,” the writer of hit series, including Blackadder and The Young Ones, told this masthead.
“I unequivocally support the Australian government’s brave decision to stand up to big tech and say we will attempt to somehow regulate (social media).
“Children have had their lives irredeemably changed and in my view for the worse because of the invention of the internet and the supplying of the direct line which is the smartphone.
“I think that it’s great that we are at last trying to face up to this”.
Australia will introduce a world-first ban for children aged under 16 from using social media from December 10 in a bid to try and stop the younger generations being exposed to the harmful impacts of being online.
The ban was announced after this masthead’s Let Them Be Kids campaign which pushed for tighter reforms for younger users.
Mr Elton, has just released his 17th novel and first work of nonfiction, his autobiography titled, “What Have I Done?”, goes into great detail about his illustrious career – detailing many highs and lows – and also discusses how he met his wife, Australian musician Sophie Gare, with whom he has three children.
On the back of his book release he is about to embark on a tour around Australia from November 2 to 12 where he will be interviewed by comedian HG Nelson.
This week he told News Corp despite his concerns about social media he has no accounts himself and doesn’t plan to start any either.
He said banning kids isn’t a from online sites is necessary.
“It is not censorship to protect not just children but anybody from the ability to watch somebody being murdered or raped within three clicks of the internet,” Mr Elton said.
“That’s not freedom of speech, before the internet it was possible to censor that kind of self-evidently unsuitable material.
“It is outrageous that a kid gets a smartphone, they can watch the most unimaginable depravity”.
Just last week another high-profile personality, British broadcaster Piers Morgan, also threw his support behind the ban, as he stressed the dangers of being online.
“Social media amplifies everything to a degree that it feels like it’s the world ending,” he said.
He said it had become far too easy for people to record moments on their smartphones, distribute them online and spread information far and wide, sometimes for the worse.
Mr Elton – who lives in Fremantle but splits his time between Australia and the UK – also said he hoped the British government, led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, would follow suit with bans for younger children.
“I think they (the British government) need to address the problem,” he said.
“I hope other governments will look at it and take courage from the Australian government’s decision to defy the tech bros from California.”
In his book, the comic also delves into politics including his thoughts on Sir Keir’s performance as leader of the UK.
“Well, I guess the jury’s currently out, isn’t it?,” he wrote.
“I’ve only ever met him for a hug and a handshake, so I have no personal insight to offer”.
Asked this week if his views have changed, Mr Elton said: “I continue to hope and believe because there have been some considerable achievements with this Labour government.
“It is also fair for them to say, ‘we inherited an absolute omnicrisis’.”
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Originally published as British comedian Ben Elton backs Australia’s impending social media ban for under 16s
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