Should kids be banned from social media? | 7.30

ABC News In-depth

3 Jun 202406:47

Summary

TLDRThe video script addresses the rising concerns over the impact of social media on children's mental health, with a focus on the potential benefits of banning young kids from social media platforms. South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas advocates for regulation, suggesting social media companies should enforce age restrictions. The script also discusses the challenges of age verification technologies and the privacy concerns they raise. It highlights the need for a balanced approach, recognizing both the negative effects of social media addiction and its potential as a tool for support and recovery.

Takeaways

📈 Social media's impact on mental health, particularly among young people, is a growing concern, with increased rates of depression and self-harm being linked to excessive use.
🔒 There is a push for policy changes, with some governments considering banning children under 14 from having social media accounts to protect their mental health.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parents like Tony Hassen are worried about how social media affects their children, leading to withdrawal and anxiety, and are seeking ways to manage screen time.
📉 South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas highlights a spike in childhood anxiety and depression, attributing much of it to excessive social media use, and calls for regulation on social media companies.
🧠 Scientists are still researching what constitutes problematic internet use and its effects, noting issues like lack of physical activity, sleep disturbances, and potential long-term mental health impacts.
🧪 Professor Murat Yusel is part of an international study aiming to assess the scale of internet addiction among young people, estimating that up to 25% of young people may have problematic use.
🚫 The idea of a ban is met with concerns about isolating young people and the need for compassion and support, rather than just restrictions.
🔐 Age verification technologies are being discussed as a potential solution, but they come with privacy and digital security risks, and concerns about their effectiveness.
🔒 Digital Rights Watch emphasizes the vulnerability of young people when it comes to data privacy and the challenges of implementing age verification without compromising personal information.
🌐 There are concerns about the ability of young people to bypass restrictions using technologies like VPNs, suggesting that a balanced approach is needed to address the complex issue of social media use among children.

Q & A

What is the main concern regarding social media's impact on young people?
-The main concern is the increased prevalence of depression and self-harm, which many believe is linked to excessive social media use, particularly among children.
What has been the political response to the issue of social media's impact on children?
-There has been a significant political traction towards banning young kids from social media, with South Australia becoming the first in Australia to recommend banning children under 14 from having social media accounts.
How does Tony Hassen, a parent, describe the impact of smartphones on her children?
-Tony Hassen describes her children becoming withdrawn and anxious due to access to smartphones, and she has tried to restrict their access to mitigate these effects.
What measures has the South Australian government proposed to address the issue?
-The South Australian government has proposed that the regulation should come from social media companies themselves, suggesting that they should be responsible for not allowing children under 14 to create accounts.
What is the role of the US Surgeon General in this issue?
-The US Surgeon General has been involved in discussions with the South Australian Premier to share research findings that suggest young people may be willing to give up social media if their friends also do.
What are some of the potential side effects of excessive internet use mentioned in the script?
-Potential side effects include a lack of movement and exercise, sleep disturbances, circadian rhythm problems, and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and loneliness.
What is the estimated percentage of young people with problematic internet use according to Professor mirat yusel?
-Professor mirat yusel estimates that as high as 25% of young people may have a problematic use of the internet.
What are some of the challenges in implementing a ban on social media for children?
-Challenges include the addictive nature of social media, the industry's powerful influence on young brains, and the difficulty in verifying age without compromising privacy and digital security.
What are some of the proposed methods for age verification on social media platforms?
-Proposed methods include physical IDs, linking with an online database, and face scanning technology that can estimate age through a camera.
What are the privacy and security concerns associated with age verification technologies?
-There are significant privacy and digital security risks associated with age verification technologies, as they may require sharing personal information and could be bypassed using a VPN.
How does Samantha Floriani from Digital Rights Watch view the proposal for age verification measures?
-Samantha Floriani expresses concerns about the necessity of sharing too much personal information for age verification technologies to work and the vulnerability of children who may not be able to consent to how their data is used.

Outlines

00:00

📱 Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

The paragraph discusses the growing concern over the impact of social media on the mental health of young people, particularly the rise in depression and self-harm. It highlights the South Australian Premier's call for a ban on social media accounts for children under 14, citing a spike in childhood anxiety and depression linked to excessive social media use. The government's recommendation is to impose regulation on social media companies to prevent underage access. The paragraph also touches on the challenges parents face in managing their children's screen time and the addictive nature of social media platforms. The US Surgeon General's research is mentioned, indicating that young people are more willing to quit social media if their peers are not using it. The potential for isolating young people with a ban is acknowledged, and the role of big industry in creating engaging content for young users is also discussed.

05:01

🔒 Privacy and Security Concerns with Age Verification

This paragraph delves into the privacy and security concerns associated with implementing age verification technologies to restrict children's access to social media. It points out that such measures could require sharing significant personal information, which poses risks, especially considering children's vulnerability to data misuse. The paragraph references a federal government report that found age verification technologies to be immature and risky. It also mentions the challenge of preventing kids from using VPNs to bypass restrictions. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the need for a balanced approach, recognizing that while social media can contribute to mental health issues, it can also be a tool for overcoming such challenges for some individuals.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Depression

Depression is a mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. In the context of the video, it is highlighted as a significant issue among young people, potentially linked to excessive social media use. The script mentions a 'spike in childhood anxiety' and 'massive growth in young people's depression,' indicating a correlation between social media and mental health challenges.

💡Self-harm

Self-harm refers to the act of deliberately causing harm to oneself without the intention of ending one's life. It is often associated with emotional distress or mental health issues. The video script suggests that self-harm is 'more prevalent' due to social media, indicating a concern that the pressures and negative influences on social platforms may contribute to self-destructive behaviors among young users.

💡Social Media

Social media platforms are online services that allow users to create and share content or to participate in social networking. The video discusses the impact of social media on the mental health of young people, with concerns that it may contribute to depression and self-harm. The script also touches on the addictive nature of these platforms and the challenges parents face in managing their children's use.

💡Addictive

Addictive refers to something that has a compelling and often uncontrollable attraction, leading to habitual use or dependence. In the video, the term is used to describe the nature of social media, suggesting that it is 'designed to be addictive' and that young people's brains are 'wired to use it compulsively,' leading to potential overuse and negative consequences.

💡Mental Health

Mental health encompasses a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. The video script emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health issues, particularly among young people, who may be at risk due to excessive social media use. The script mentions 'mental health problems' as a potential outcome of prolonged internet use.

💡Policy Response

A policy response refers to actions or measures taken by governments or organizations to address a particular issue or problem. In the context of the video, a 'policy response' is discussed in relation to the growing concern over the impact of social media on young people's mental health, with the South Australian government recommending a ban on children under 14 having social media accounts.

💡Age Verification

Age verification is the process of confirming the age of a user, typically to ensure that they meet the minimum age requirement for a service or content. The video script discusses potential methods for age verification, such as physical IDs or face scanning technology, as part of proposed regulations to limit children's access to social media. However, it also raises concerns about privacy and digital security risks associated with these methods.

💡Digital Rights

Digital rights refer to the rights of individuals in the digital environment, including privacy, freedom of expression, and protection from surveillance. The video script mentions 'digital Rights Watch,' an organization concerned with protecting online privacy and personal data. They express concerns about the potential privacy and security risks associated with age verification technologies and the collection of personal information.

💡Compassion and Support

Compassion and support refer to the empathy and assistance provided to individuals in need, particularly those facing challenges or hardships. In the video, the concept is mentioned in the context of addressing the issue of problematic internet use among young people. It suggests that instead of isolation, young people need 'compassion and support' to help them navigate the complexities of social media and its impact on their mental health.

💡VPN

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a service that allows users to send and receive data while maintaining anonymity and privacy, often by routing their internet connection through a server in a different location. The video script discusses the challenge of preventing kids from using VPNs to bypass restrictions on social media access, indicating that such technologies can undermine efforts to regulate young people's use of social platforms.

Highlights

Depression and self-harm are more prevalent due to social media.

Banning young kids from social media has gained political traction.

Social media is considered a global unregulated experiment on children.

Parents are concerned about the impact of social media on their children's health.

Smartphones have led to children becoming withdrawn and anxious.

South Australian Premier calls for social media companies to impose bans on children under 14.

A spike in childhood anxiety and depression is attributed to excessive social media use.

The US Surgeon General discusses research on young people's reluctance to quit social media.

Scientists are working to define problematic internet use and its effects.

Long internet use can lead to lack of movement, sleep disturbances, and mental health issues.

An international study of 10,000 young people aims to assess the scale of internet addiction.

Estimates suggest 6-10% of the population has a problematic use of the internet, up to 25% in young people.

Social media apps use subtle features with powerful effects on brain behavior.

Ideas for age verification include physical IDs, online databases, and face scanning technology.

Age verification technologies come with privacy and digital security risks.

Children and young people are vulnerable to how their data is collected and used.

Age verification measures were considered for protecting children from online pornography.

The biggest problem is preventing kids from using VPNs to hide their identity.

There are also positive uses of the internet and social media for mental health.

A balanced approach is needed to address the issues surrounding social media and young people.