Dear MEL Topic Readers,
'I feel free': Australia's social media ban, one month on
To protect the mental health and wellbeing of young teenagers from
cyberbullying, harmful content, self harm, online predators, and addictive
platform designs, Australia started requiring popular SNS platforms,
including Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch,
X, and YouTube, to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from
having accounts on their platforms on December 10 last year. They can still have
access to non-age-restricted social media platforms, such as Discord, Google
Classroom, LEGO Play, Messenger, Pinterest, Roblox, WhatsApp, and YouTube Kids.
Like adults, many young people rely on social media as a tool to manage
boredom, stress, and social anxiety, and to connect with their peers and loved
ones. So, what happened to the young Australians who were disconnected from
their familiar platforms? After the initial shock, are they now spending more
time on non-screen activities like sports, reading, or talking with their
friends or families more, or just alternatively using other accessible SNSs or
games?
Read the article and find out what Australian teenagers have been doing
since their favorite social media was banned.
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