Reclaiming childhood, from now
As US social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, one of the intellectual drivers behind the ban, told Paul Kelly recently, Australia’s initiative is what the world “desperately needs to do”.
The tech giants’ insidious business model of manipulation to grab eyeballs and hold on to them for as long as possible needed to be challenged.
In legislating to prevent social media platforms letting Australians under 16 create or possess accounts, the nation is leading the world on an issue that has robbed too many youngsters of peace of mind and innocence, and left them more vulnerable to bullying.
For some, the pressure has led to misery. Multiple young lives have tragically been lost to suicide.
By enforcing the restrictions with penalties of up to $49.5m if tech giants do not take reasonable steps to implement the law, which most can easily pay, the government will give youngsters time to build resistance and maturity. Along the way there will be hiccups and glitches, which can be fixed.
Millions of youngsters, we hope, backed by parents and communities, will discover or rediscover the joys of the real, not virtual, world.
As Anthony Albanese has urged: “Make the most of the school holidays … rather than spending it scrolling on your phone. Start a new sport, learn a new instrument or read that book that has been sitting there on your shelf for some time. Importantly, spend quality time with your friends and your family face-to-face.”
The world will be watching.
Pact to make nation more secure
As sceptics wait for tech-savvy youngsters to get around the social media ban for children under 16 and controversy rages over Communications Minister Anika Wells’s taxpayer-funded spending, the significance of the new law, which starts on Wednesday, should not be overlooked.