The upcoming social media ban for children under 16 in Australia is a response to growing parental concerns about the harmful effects of these platforms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has assured parents that the government supports them against unscrupulous social media companies. However, the ban, described by the eSafety Commissioner as a 'delay', may have limited impact as penalties will apply to providers, not parents or children.
Parents are now tasked with helping their children understand the reasoning behind the ban. This has prompted reflection on adults' own social media habits. A Canberra school, Marist College, has announced a smartphone ban on campus from next year, citing an ingrained addiction to devices. Deputy headmaster Liam Stakelum acknowledged his own over-reliance on his phone and has given up his smartphone during school hours to model good behaviour.
Many Australian parents may struggle to follow suit, as adults often reach for their phones reflexively throughout the day. The challenge is demonstrating a social media-free world to children when adults themselves have short attention spans and device dependencies. Young people aged 12 to 14 expressed doubt that the ban would be long-term, indicating that without adults also disconnecting, the ban may be difficult to enforce.
The article suggests that unless parents and adults reduce their own phone use, the ban could lead to a game of 'whack-a-mole' as tech-savvy children find ways to circumvent it. The ban serves as a reminder for adults to take stock of their own social media consumption and set an example for the younger generation.
