Two Australian mothers, propelled by the devastating loss of their children to suicide following relentless online bullying, have become the driving force behind Australia's world-first legislation banning social media for those under 16. Emma Mason and Mia Bannister have launched a scathing critique of global tech giants, labelling their claims of responsibility as 'so repugnant' in the face of a national youth mental health crisis.
From Personal Grief to National Policy
The tragic stories of these families are now inextricably linked to a seismic shift in Australian law. Emma Mason's 15-year-old daughter, Tilly, ended her life after being subjected to storms of online abuse. Mia Bannister experienced a similar horror when her 14-year-old son, Ollie, died by suicide. Their grief is a physical, ever-present weight. Emma wears a pendant containing her daughter's ashes, while Mia carries her son's memory in a small canister around her neck. 'So I carry him around my neck in a little canister, his ashes,' Mia said.
Their powerful, personal advocacy was instrumental in convincing the federal government to act. Emma Mason's influence reached the highest levels, travelling with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to New York to share Tilly's story with world leaders, a presentation that moved some to tears. She frames the issue in stark terms: 'Because our children have been part of a social experiment that we didn't sign up for, and we didn't know was going to destroy them.'
The Grim Statistics and The New Law
The mothers' anguish is backed by alarming data that paints a grim picture of the online environment for Australian youth. A shocking 57 per cent of teens reported being bullied online last year, with a deeply concerning 13 per cent being told to hurt or kill themselves. Mia Bannister articulated a sentiment felt by many parents, stating, 'I believe that when social media was unleashed on the world, it was the greatest social experiment of humankind.'
From next week, this experiment will be curtailed for the nation's youngest citizens. The groundbreaking new laws will effectively cut off more than a million teenagers from their social media accounts. The legislation requires big tech companies to block under-16 users from 10 major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. Companies that fail to comply face staggering fines of up to $50 million for breaches.
A Fight Against Big Tech and Linguing Trauma
Emma Mason expresses profound disbelief and anger at the stance of social media companies. She directly refutes their claims that their platforms have not harmed children, citing the heartbreaking sequence of events in her own daughter's life: '11 suicide attempts and a successful 12th.' She finds their position 'so repugnant that that's what they think.'
The trauma of their loss continues to haunt both families daily. Mia Bannister lives with the visceral memory of discovering her son. 'Unfortunately, I found Ollie, so I go to bed with that vision in my head every single night,' she shared. Both mothers also carry a heavy burden of guilt for initially providing their children with phones, a decision made with good intentions. Mia reflected, 'I thought it was connection, he could stay in touch with me, but I handed him a weapon.'
Now, channeling their grief into action, they are determined to hold big tech accountable. Their resolve is unwavering. 'I know we're going to win this because we have to win it,' Emma Mason declared. 'We have to protect our children.' As Australian households prepare for the monumental change coming on December 10, these mothers stand as sombre but powerful guardians for the nation's youth.
If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300 224 636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.
