Australia has taken a bold step towards regulating the use of social media by minors, with a new law set to prohibit kids under 16 from using popular platforms. This move is part of a growing global effort to address the impact of social media on adolescents. Teenagers and young influencers are struggling to come to terms with this change, which they fear will leave them isolated and disconnected.
For some, like Carlee Jade Clements, who has over 37,000 followers on Instagram, social media is an integral part of her online identity. She records video content daily, which she shares with her friends and fans. The upcoming law may result in the suspension or deletion of her professional accounts, causing significant financial losses. When asked how this will affect her income, Clements stated that if her account goes down, she would have to do more chores at home.
To fight against the ban, Zoey Bender has filed an e-petition and encouraged others to sign it, gathering over 44,000 signatures in just a few months. She believes social media platforms teach valuable skills such as how to be safe online and email effectively. However, she also acknowledges that teenagers spend too much time on their phones – it's a problem not unique to minors.
In Australia, parents will ultimately have the responsibility of controlling their child's access to social media, with many already setting boundaries around its use for their young ones. Clements' mother regularly reviews her daughter's messages, and Bender has to hand over her phone at 9:30 pm every night.
Despite fears about losing online communities, teenagers are likely to find ways to circumvent the law by creating new accounts or using different platforms altogether. A recent survey found that just six percent of those aged 9-15 believe this ban will be effective, and a significant majority have no intention of stopping their social media use once it's implemented.
In Australia, there is growing recognition about the potential negative impacts of excessive social media use on minors. The decision to limit access for under-16s marks an important step towards protecting young users from cyberbullying, creepiness, and other risks associated with online interactions.
By leaving age restrictions up to parents, teenagers are advocating for greater autonomy over their own digital lives. While some accept the need for parental oversight, others fear that this will restrict their ability to connect with friends and peers who share similar interests.
For many young social media users, the decision has been to take matters into their own hands by creating alternative platforms or services. This reflects a broader shift towards digital resilience among younger generations – using technology to stay connected while navigating an increasingly complex online landscape.
For some, like Carlee Jade Clements, who has over 37,000 followers on Instagram, social media is an integral part of her online identity. She records video content daily, which she shares with her friends and fans. The upcoming law may result in the suspension or deletion of her professional accounts, causing significant financial losses. When asked how this will affect her income, Clements stated that if her account goes down, she would have to do more chores at home.
To fight against the ban, Zoey Bender has filed an e-petition and encouraged others to sign it, gathering over 44,000 signatures in just a few months. She believes social media platforms teach valuable skills such as how to be safe online and email effectively. However, she also acknowledges that teenagers spend too much time on their phones – it's a problem not unique to minors.
In Australia, parents will ultimately have the responsibility of controlling their child's access to social media, with many already setting boundaries around its use for their young ones. Clements' mother regularly reviews her daughter's messages, and Bender has to hand over her phone at 9:30 pm every night.
Despite fears about losing online communities, teenagers are likely to find ways to circumvent the law by creating new accounts or using different platforms altogether. A recent survey found that just six percent of those aged 9-15 believe this ban will be effective, and a significant majority have no intention of stopping their social media use once it's implemented.
In Australia, there is growing recognition about the potential negative impacts of excessive social media use on minors. The decision to limit access for under-16s marks an important step towards protecting young users from cyberbullying, creepiness, and other risks associated with online interactions.
By leaving age restrictions up to parents, teenagers are advocating for greater autonomy over their own digital lives. While some accept the need for parental oversight, others fear that this will restrict their ability to connect with friends and peers who share similar interests.
For many young social media users, the decision has been to take matters into their own hands by creating alternative platforms or services. This reflects a broader shift towards digital resilience among younger generations – using technology to stay connected while navigating an increasingly complex online landscape.
I think it's cool that Australia is taking steps to regulate social media use for minors, but at the same time, I'm also kinda worried about how teens are gonna adapt. Like, Zoey Bender's e-petition has a lot of signatures, which is awesome, but some people still think teenagers can outsmart the law and find new ways to stay online 
. And honestly, who hasn't been there - scrolling through social media late at night, feeling like you're missing out on something? It's gonna be hard for parents to balance giving their kids freedom with keeping them safe from all the drama that comes with being online 
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anyway, so like zoey bender is trying to fight this law by signing her e-petition and stuff but 6% of kids under 16 think the ban will be effective? that's pretty low i guess 
what if they just make new accounts or use different platforms tho? it sounds like they're gonna find a way around it anyway 
it's a double whammy... but at the same time, I get why parents are doing what they're doing - safety first, right? 
kids need to learn how to navigate the online world without getting hurt by cyberbullies or creepiness. and I love that there's a growing movement towards digital resilience among young people... it's all about finding that balance between staying connected and protecting ourselves from harm 
. I mean, think about it - kids under 16 are basically still in school, they should be learning how to navigate the world offline too 
. And let's be real, social media can be super toxic and not healthy for young minds 
. It's not just about cyberbullying and creepiness, but also about setting a good example for their future online interactions 
.
. The kids are smart, but parents know what's best for their little ones 
.
. I mean, they're not asking for complete freedom, just a chance to learn how to navigate the online world safely and responsibly 
. Let's hope this law sets a good precedent for other countries and helps create a healthier online culture 
but also super strict 
i mean who wants to give up social media 
? its like they're taking away our internet freedom 
but at the same time, i get why they wanna protect us from all the online drama and cyberbullying 
. maybe we can just find ways to use it more responsibly 
gotta keep advocating for our digital rights 
Social media for teens is getting shut down in Australia 
Like, what's next? 
And the ones who are trying to fight it just make new accounts or use different platforms. It's like they're playing a game of online cat and mouse 
. But I guess it's better than having to do more chores at home lol 
. dont get me wrong, parents should have control over what their kids do online, but should they really be the ones deciding for them when it comes to social media platforms? 
. and at the end of the day, isnt the goal of having a ban on social media for minors to teach them digital resilience and online safety skills? 
and honestly, if carlee jade clements & zoey bender really need to do more chores at home because of this law lol it's kinda a small price to pay for the potential benefits 
i mean, let's not forget that cyberbullying & creepiness are real problems for minors... maybe this is a step in the right direction? 
but on the other hand, im all for them learning how to be safe online 
.
but at the same time, I feel for those young creators like Carlee Jade Clements who are gonna lose their livelihoods overnight 
Her daily vlogs and YouTube content are a huge part of her identity... it's scary to think about how she'll cope without that platform 
but at the same time, some of these platforms do offer valuable skills and online safety lessons 
But overall, I think it's a great move by Australia to prioritize the well-being of their young people 
they r literally trying 2 regulate our online lives lolol like who even needs permission 2 be on socials? but idc about the drama, i think its kinda cool that they r tryna protect us youngins from cyberbullying & creepiness 
. I get why the gov's trying to protect minors, but restricting their social media use is like, super harsh 
. I'm more concerned about the parents who'll have to deal with the guilt of taking away their kid's online freedom 
. Can't we find a middle ground? 
. And Carlee Jade Clements' comment about doing more chores at home if her account gets suspended... girl, you're speaking truth to power 
.
but at the same time lets also support our young creators and influencers who are trying to make a living off their content