Australia is certainly one of the several countries is currently considering a ban on children using social media. There are calls across the country to raise the age at which young people can legally use social media from 13 to 16, while South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas is leading calls to raise the age to 14.
The idea of a ban has not been without controversy. But the concept is to effectively set legal limits on the age at which children can use social media, to ensure kid’s safety and protect their health.
Politicians like Malinauskas admit such a ban may not be fully effective, but say measures corresponding to age limits should be considered, similar to the age limits for smoking, drinking and driving.
Our tests to risky behaviors related to social media use shows that the harmful repercussions of social media use do not only occur online or affect only mental health. There are many real physical risks from social media use, especially for children and young people.
In reference to this public health From this angle, we consider it’s price considering banning children from using social media.
From selfies to stunts
Many children and young people have been injured or killed after trying to take photos in dangerous places – corresponding to cliffs or waterfalls – for social media. Studies have shown that children and young persons are most vulnerable to selfie-related incidents, not less than 109 deaths worldwide since 2008.
Others have been injured as a results of participating in viral challenges. For example, in “skull breaker” challenge, shared widely on TikTok in early 2020, saw two children kicking the legs out from under a third, causing them to fall. The results of the stunt included serious spinal injuries, hospital admissions, and even assault charges against the kids.
Around 2018, the Tide pod challenge became popular and encouraged children eat washing powder capsules. The effects of doing so may include vomiting, difficulty respiration, and lack of consciousness.
A well-liked trick called the “blackout challenge,” which gained popularity on TikTok and was particularly popular with children, led to the death of not less than 20 children in 18 months around the globe. The challenge involved children holding their breath or cutting off their air supply until they lost consciousness.
Children are far more likely engage in such a risky behavior than adults. Children are still shaping their identity, crossing boundaries, striving for peer approval and risk science.
The scale of social media
Social media algorithms quickly promote essentially the most attractive content, so risky tricks can quickly go viral – which can exponentially increase the damage.
Dangerous activities like taking selfies and photos in precarious poses and places often garner a lot of views and “likes” on social media. And kids want to be liked and seen as popular online, with many individuals aspiring to be influencers above and beyond regular competitions.
If we limit kid’s use of social media, it does not imply they will not take risks. Children have at all times been naturals at pushing boundaries and risk takenand a few games can be dangerous.
However, social media is massively encouraging children to engage in risky activities and behaviors on a scale that was previously inconceivable.
The ongoing controversy
Academics, parents AND only children argue that the ban will not be a response to the harm social media is doing to kid’s health and well-being.
Much of the discussion against the ban has been based on the argument that social media has advantages in improving children’s digital competenceconstructing online community and support networks. Groups that include LGBTQ+ advocates They stressed that the ban would deprive them of the flexibility to use a medium that they consider is crucial for their mental health and sense of community.
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Other experts consider the ban is the fitting move, arguing that social media disrupts teen identity development by increasing anxiety and depression ratesand fueling polarization.
However, the link between social media use and risky real-world behavior is commonly unnoticed of the discussion. Among other advantages, introducing a stricter age limit on social media use could reduce the likelihood of youngsters engaging in dangerous viral challenges and risky stunts viewed online.
Implementing and enforcing a ban on children using social media would be met with resistance from each the industry and the general public, and wouldn’t be without its challenges. Technical challenges.
However, if we all know that a product harms children, whatever the alleged advantages, we should always take motion to protect them.