Australian here 👋🏼 Just wanted to touch on the Australian social media ban for under 16s. The main reason for it was actually to reduce cyber bullying due to an increase in youth suicide over the past decade. Many Aussies, including experts, don’t think it’ll actually do much at all to help with internet addiction. As soon as they’re 16 they’ll jump on social media without any pre-built skills around resilience and self-control concerning their social media use. It also means Aussies over 16 will need to verify their age, giving these companies even more data than we already give them. I can totally see how it seems like a positive at first, but when you dig deeper I don’t think a ban will truly help when these companies continue to make their algorithms so addictive.
Starting with the data piece - that's really interesting. I agree, I'd be hesitant to upload my ID to a social media platform. It feels invasive. I wonder if there will be any drop off of users (over 16) due to this.
I don't necessarily agree though on the notion that "as soon as they're 16 they'll jump on with no pre-built skills" - It's in line with saying kids should be able to drink alcohol before they're 21 so they can learn their tolerance.
I see merit in it when the proper parenting foundation is there, sure. But kids who are under 16 don't have the actual brain matter to be able to learn the self-control. I don't think kids under 16 should be on social media - full stop. But I think social media is still addictive for 17 year olds, for 20 year olds, for 30 year olds.
So, yes you're right, the true underlying issue is the way these platforms are designed.
Meta's recent "teen profiles" are a perfect example of how little they even care about the actual problem. The "safeguards" are more about privacy than preventing additive and reliant behaviors. There's still an algorithmic feed, there's still recommended accounts, there's still an infinite feed.
The problem feels insurmountable, which I guess is why I always come back to the thought that only I can make real change for myself.
Australian here 👋🏼 Just wanted to touch on the Australian social media ban for under 16s. The main reason for it was actually to reduce cyber bullying due to an increase in youth suicide over the past decade. Many Aussies, including experts, don’t think it’ll actually do much at all to help with internet addiction. As soon as they’re 16 they’ll jump on social media without any pre-built skills around resilience and self-control concerning their social media use. It also means Aussies over 16 will need to verify their age, giving these companies even more data than we already give them. I can totally see how it seems like a positive at first, but when you dig deeper I don’t think a ban will truly help when these companies continue to make their algorithms so addictive.
I've been thinking about this note all night.
Starting with the data piece - that's really interesting. I agree, I'd be hesitant to upload my ID to a social media platform. It feels invasive. I wonder if there will be any drop off of users (over 16) due to this.
I don't necessarily agree though on the notion that "as soon as they're 16 they'll jump on with no pre-built skills" - It's in line with saying kids should be able to drink alcohol before they're 21 so they can learn their tolerance.
I see merit in it when the proper parenting foundation is there, sure. But kids who are under 16 don't have the actual brain matter to be able to learn the self-control. I don't think kids under 16 should be on social media - full stop. But I think social media is still addictive for 17 year olds, for 20 year olds, for 30 year olds.
So, yes you're right, the true underlying issue is the way these platforms are designed.
Meta's recent "teen profiles" are a perfect example of how little they even care about the actual problem. The "safeguards" are more about privacy than preventing additive and reliant behaviors. There's still an algorithmic feed, there's still recommended accounts, there's still an infinite feed.
The problem feels insurmountable, which I guess is why I always come back to the thought that only I can make real change for myself.