As the prime minister noted, the Australian government recognized the adverse effects of social media on mental health and proposed a ban for citizens under 16, stating, "it's doing harm to our kids and I'm calling time on it." This decision follows evidence showing a strong correlation between high social media usage and poor mental health among teens.
Research from esteemed institutions highlights the troubling reality that social media can exacerbate loneliness and suicidal thoughts among adolescents. Despite its pervasive nature, platforms fail to mitigate feelings of isolation, suggesting a deeper societal issue at play.
The Australian government faced criticism regarding its decision to limit social media access solely to minors. Detractors argue that all age groups should be protected and that the damaging effects of social media are not confined to those under 16.
A psychologist pointed out that the exhausting pressures faced by adults also stem from an unrelenting flow of distressing news on social media, reflecting that the impact of online content reaches all demographics, thus calling for a broader ban.
#social-media-ban #youth-mental-health #cyberbullying #government-legislation #australian-psychology
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