How many of you readers have screamed and tried to get your child to let go of the screen, or rather, to stop letting it take you away? The day has come! At least in some regions, December 10th is a turning point: Australia will become the first country in the world to completely ban social networks for people under 16. Yes, a first world society with values, ethics and responsibility.
Without a doubt, an example that should spread and infect: platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, etc. will be banned for minors, with very high penalties and fines. Children and young people cannot create accounts and existing ones must be closed. In addition, the law requires platforms to do something basic – which they have never done – namely, verify the age of every user, automatically block minors and demonstrate that they are taking real measures to protect their integrity by implementing security, education and awareness measures.
Obviously, this is not a question of morality. This is a public health issue. Zombie teenagers, children starting early exposure to technology at younger and younger ages, leading to anxiety, depression, irritability, sleep disorders, cyberbullying, anorexia, bulimia, body dysmorphic disorder, viral challenge injuries, speech changes, attention problems, vision problems, etc. – and these are just a few of the problems.
Access to pornography or sexually explicit content is virtually impossible to prevent. There is premature puberty. Children who are barely 8 years old access material that is inappropriate for their age.
Australia has seriously analyzed the data, predicted the possible consequences and made a prudent decision that, while it may sound arbitrary, will definitely protect the most vulnerable. A true lesson in political, intellectual and health honesty.
From the age of 13, they take part in betting and gambling, often involuntarily financed by their parents. At least 30% of young people gamble for money, which is illegal and poses financial and addiction risks
11-year-old Argentine children become heavy users of mobile devices; 65% of parents give their children aged 4 to 5 screens.
Today, the first photo of a user uploaded on social networks is that of an ultrasound scan before his birth, mom and dad take the first step to compromise his privacy, right after one year of life among all family members, a baby takes about 100 pictures in photos and videos and opens his own profile before he finishes kindergarten, then everyone knows what his school uniform looks like, what school he goes to and what his daily routine is. As puberty begins, there will be more than 1,000 photos and videos and hundreds of people this baby probably doesn’t know who will know his schedules, desires, frustrations and undoubtedly his dreams!
For some it is just memories, photos, videos, some emotions, for others it is information, marketable data. For Australian society it is much more; Protect young people’s mental health, reduce exposure to harmful content and encourage participation in offline activities.
Culturally and ideologically divided, China is currently regulating “influencers”, but also children and young people, and controlling their interaction with game consoles through strict regulations, especially to combat addiction. Restrictions include limiting play time, charging, and eliminating features that encourage spending and daily socializing.
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