Australia’s Bold Decision to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16: Lessons for Sri Lanka

In a groundbreaking move to safeguard the mental and emotional well-being of young minds, Australia has recently decided to prohibit children under 16 from accessing social media platforms. This decision has sparked global conversations about the growing impact of social media on children and its long-term consequences.

Reference: https://www.reuters.com/technology/australia-passes-social-media-ban-children-under-16-2024-11-28/#:~:text=SYDNEY%2C%20Nov%2028%20(Reuters),toughest%20regulations%20targeting%20Big%20Tech.

As Sri Lanka grapples with similar challenges, there are valuable lessons to learn from this initiative to better protect our children from the adverse effects of excessive social media use.

The Impact of Social Media on Young Minds

Social media platforms, while providing avenues for connection and information, have significant downsides, particularly for children. Studies have shown that excessive use can lead to:

• Reduced Attention Span: Constant scrolling through short videos and posts reduces a child’s ability to focus on more extended, meaningful tasks like studying or reading.
• Mental Health Challenges: Increased exposure to unrealistic ideals and cyberbullying can lead to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
• Sleep Disruption: Prolonged screen time before bed interferes with sleep patterns, essential for cognitive development.
• Addiction: The dopamine-driven design of social media platforms often results in compulsive usage, affecting productivity and creativity.

The Negative Impact of Social Media: Real-Life Examples

Cyberbullying Leading to Mental Health Crises

Example: In 2021, an Australian teenager, Dolly Everett, tragically took her own life after being relentlessly bullied online. Cases like this highlight how unchecked access to social media can expose children to harmful interactions. In Sri Lanka, a 14-year-old boy recently faced severe psychological distress after classmates shared embarrassing memes of him on social media.

• Lesson for Sri Lanka: Strict regulations can prevent children from becoming victims or perpetrators of cyberbullying, protecting their mental health.

Addiction Hindering Academic Performance

Example: During the pandemic, many Sri Lankan students turned to TikTok and Instagram for entertainment. Reports surfaced of students spending hours scrolling through videos instead of attending online classes or studying. This obsession not only hurt their grades but also disrupted family dynamics.

• Lesson for Sri Lanka: Limiting access to social media could redirect children’s focus towards academics and extracurricular development.

Exposure to Inappropriate Content

Example: A study revealed that children under 16 are often exposed to content promoting self-harm, substance abuse, or unrealistic body standards. In Sri Lanka, incidents of teenagers joining harmful online challenges, like the "Blue Whale Challenge," have raised alarm.

• Lesson for Sri Lanka: Monitoring and restricting social media use can shield children from such dangerous trends and content.

Reduced Face-to-Face Social Skills

Example: Australian schools reported an increase in children unable to engage in basic social interactions due to their dependence on online communication. Similarly, in Sri Lanka, educators have observed students struggling with teamwork and verbal communication in classrooms.

• Lesson for Sri Lanka: Encouraging offline interactions can help children develop vital life skills like empathy, cooperation, and problem-solving.

Why This Decision is Crucial for Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan children are not immune to the global phenomenon of social media addiction. In fact, with increasing smartphone penetration and affordable internet, social media usage among children has skyrocketed in recent years. Here’s why Australia’s approach is relevant to Sri Lanka:

1. Mental Health Crisis: Mental health concerns among Sri Lankan youth are rising. Limiting social media access can help reduce anxiety and depression linked to online activity.
2. Improved Academic Focus: With less time spent online, children can focus on education and extracurricular activities, fostering a balanced and productive lifestyle.
3. Preventing Online Exploitation: Social media is often a gateway for cyber predators. Restricting access for young children can shield them from such risks.
4. Promoting Healthy Social Skills: Encouraging children to engage in face-to-face interactions rather than virtual ones helps develop real-world social skills.

Steps Sri Lanka Can Take

While a complete ban may not be feasible or culturally acceptable in Sri Lanka, adopting certain measures inspired by Australia can significantly benefit our children:

1. Age Verification Systems: Introduce stricter age checks on social media platforms to prevent children under 16 from creating accounts.
2. Parental Awareness Programs: Educate parents on the risks of social media and provide tools to monitor and limit their children’s screen time.
3. Promote Offline Activities: Invest in community centers, sports programs, and creative workshops to encourage children to spend their time productively.
4. School Curriculums on Digital Literacy: Teach children about the responsible use of social media, focusing on its risks and benefits.
5. Collaborate with Tech Companies: Encourage social media platforms to create child-friendly versions with limited features and no access to harmful content.

Conclusion

Australia’s decision is a bold step towards prioritizing the well-being of future generations. For Sri Lanka, this is an opportunity to re-evaluate the role of social media in shaping young minds. By implementing similar protective measures, we can empower our children to grow into healthy, responsible individuals free from the negative impacts of social media addiction. Protecting their mental health today is an investment in a brighter, stronger Sri Lanka tomorrow.