{"id":129604,"date":"2024-11-24T17:20:43","date_gmt":"2024-11-24T10:20:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=129604"},"modified":"2024-11-24T17:20:43","modified_gmt":"2024-11-24T10:20:43","slug":"school-bullies-have-moved-online-but-is-banning-all-under-16s-from-social-media-really-the-answer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=129604","title":{"rendered":"School bullies have moved online. But is banning all under-16s from social media really the answer?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Kirra Pendergast talks to thousands of teenagers each year in her role as a cyber safety educator.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">She knows what they get up to online \u2013 the texting, the bullying, the sextortion, the threats \u2013 but nothing prepared her for the hostility she faced this month in a roomful of students ages 12 and 13.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">She\u2019d been booked to give three talks at a high school in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/world\/australia?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Australia;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Australia<\/a> but just minutes into the first session, a group of boys started shouting insults common among misogynistic online influencers about the women pictured on Pendergast\u2019s presentation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Teachers tried to shush them, then a girl in the front row made the final expletive-filled comment that shattered Pendergast\u2019s veneer and saw the special guest speaker flee the room in tears.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cI can\u2019t believe I\u2019m crying on film on here,\u201d Pendergast said in a selfie video filmed soon after in her car. \u201cI believe that the behavior that I witnessed today is completely driven by things that they\u2019ve seen online,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cIn fact, I know it is, and it has to change.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Pendergast, the founder and CEO of global cyber safety training company <a href=\"https:\/\/www.safeonsocial.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Safe on Social;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Safe on Social<\/a>, once opposed a ban on social media for children, but now she\u2019s totally on board.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cI went through absolutely every argument that had been thrown at me and had a counter argument for every single one of them. And then I thought, \u2018You know what? Ban it. Just ban it,\u2019\u201d she told CNN.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">The Australian government introduced what it\u2019s called \u201cworld-leading\u201d legislation in parliament this week to wipe social media accounts \u2013 including Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit and X \u2013 from the devices of children under 16.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">If passed, the law would see courts impose fines of nearly 50 million Australian dollars ($32 million) on social media companies found not to have taken reasonable steps to prevent age-restricted children from using their service.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">The government is not telling tech companies how to do it, but at the very least, it says it expects them to adopt age verification technologies. That comes with privacy issues that the government said will be addressed in the legislation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">But critics aren\u2019t convinced.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">They say it\u2019s a rushed piece of legislation driven by political maneuvering ahead of a federal election, one that could push children who flout the rules deeper into unregulated areas of the internet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Supporters say if it saves one life, it\u2019s worth it.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg font-bold\">Deadly bullying<\/h3>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">In recent months, two more young girls have joined a growing list of children who have taken their own lives after allegations of online bullying.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"col-body mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Charlotte O\u2019Brien took her own life in September. - Seven Network Australia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/D585.k4piuuV0l9hEN7Y5g--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/cnn_articles_875\/72a63477483b5dd46aa0e9104e3f9ac8\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-[4] size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Charlotte O\u2019Brien took her own life in September. &#8211; Seven Network Australia<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"col-body mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Ella Catley-Crawford also died after alleged bullying online. - GoFundMe\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/meObjgixOviT7sgaLlpgCg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/cnn_articles_875\/79cfb18a6fab07734e452c57c9791ea3\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-[4] size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Ella Catley-Crawford also died after alleged bullying online. &#8211; GoFundMe<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Charlotte O\u2019Brien died in September, followed by Ella Catley-Crawford \u2013 both were 12, and their families say they were targeted by bullies who taunted them through Snapchat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">In Ella\u2019s case, girls allegedly catfished her by pretending to be someone else on the app and spread private videos she sent.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cSOCIAL MEDIA BULLYING IS REAL,\u201d her relatives said in bold caps on a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/Rip-Ella-Crawford-only-12yo-please-help-fund-costs\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:GoFundMe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">GoFundMe<\/a> page set up to raise money for her funeral.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Charlotte\u2019s parents Matthew Howard and Kelly O\u2019Brien have since joined the campaign to push for a ban on social media for under 16s. They\u2019re acting on Charlotte\u2019s last request \u2013 an appeal to them to raise awareness.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Earlier this month, they travelled to Canberra to present the prime minister with a petition <a href=\"https:\/\/www.change.org\/p\/36-months-raising-the-age-for-social-media-citizenship\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:then signed by 124,000 people;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">then signed by 124,000 people <\/a>\u2013 the world\u2019s largest on the topic \u2013 calling for the age limit for social media to be raised 36 months from 13 to 16.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cNo parent wants to go through what we\u2019re going through,\u201d Howard recently told the 36 Months campaign group in a video shared with CNN.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Dr. Danielle Einstein, clinical psychologist and author, says schools are navigating a minefield of interactions that are playing out online, outside school hours, on platforms that are beyond their reach.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cTeachers are under so much pressure to solve the fact that the culture has been undermined by social media, by this sort of mean behavior that subtly is being permitted to exist, just because it\u2019s so hard to stop,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Einstein supports the social media ban because she believes phones and group chats are replacing face-to-face interactions that teach children how to connect with people and resolve conflict.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cAll of a sudden, any errors they make are broadcast and they go straight out to a whole group,\u201d she said. \u201cThey don\u2019t have the opportunity to make these little mistakes, and for the mistakes not to matter.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg font-bold\">Political leaders push for a ban<\/h3>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Agreement between the major political parties is rare in Australia, but on this issue, they\u2019re presenting a united front.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">The Liberal opposition party proposed a social media age limit in June that was backed by the prime minister, then all the state and territory leaders.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cI want to talk to Australian parents,\u201d Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a video posted to Instagram, one of the targets of the ban.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cToo often social media isn\u2019t social at all, and we all know that. The truth is it\u2019s doing harm to our children, and I\u2019m calling time on it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Dany Elachi called time on it in his household a few years ago, when he and his wife caved into their daughter\u2019s demands to use their old smartphone. She was 10 at the time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cWithin a matter of weeks, we saw that it overwhelmed her life,\u201d he told CNN.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cThe straw that broke the camel\u2019s back, I think, for her mom and I was catching her messaging friends under the covers at midnight. And so, we just connected all these dots together. We thought, we can\u2019t do this for another 10 years.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">They started the Heads Up Alliance to encourage other parents to delay giving smartphones to their children, and since then their network has grown.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Elachi says there\u2019s no question that social media is harming Australian kids.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cParents are seeing with their own eyes. I mean, there are suicide notes. Children who\u2019ve killed themselves write their suicide notes, telling us that social media played a role in their deaths, and we\u2019re seriously still debating whether social media is harmful to our children\u2019s mental health?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cIt\u2019s actually disgraceful.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg font-bold\">Legislation \u2018motivated by political issues\u2019<\/h3>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">For many experts, the debate\u2019s not so much about the negative effects of social media \u2013 but whether an outright ban is the right response.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Last month, <a href=\"https:\/\/westernsydney.edu.au\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0016\/2052160\/Open_letter_re_social_media_bans.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:more than 140 experts;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">more than 140 experts<\/a> sent a joint letter to the government saying the ban is a \u201cblunt\u201d response to the problem that removes the incentive for tech companies to invest in more ways to keep children safe online.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">This week, a joint select committee investigating social media in Australia seemed to agree. Its final report, after months of public hearings and hundreds of submissions, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aph.gov.au\/Parliamentary_Business\/Committees\/Joint\/Social_Media\/SocialMedia\/Final_report\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:did not call for a ban;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">did not call for a ban<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Instead, it recommended that laws be changed to \u201ceffectively bring digital platforms under Australian jurisdiction,\u201d and that any changes that affect young people should be \u201cco-designed with young people.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"col-body mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Amanda Third, co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University. - Monica Pronk\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/NeOd6U36TQx1pcFi9TvTmg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/cnn_articles_875\/b998b7830a8d4d352287076dedd4cbb8\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-[4] size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Amanda Third, co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University. &#8211; Monica Pronk<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Amanda Third, co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University, says for many children, the current sign-up age of 13 is \u201centirely appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cThe idea of a ban is incredibly seductive for parents, because it feels like it\u2019s just going to take that off your list of things to worry about,\u201d she said. \u201cBut in actual fact, a ban is not going to deliver the relief that parents are looking for. It\u2019s a fact of life that this will continue to be a key part of parenting into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">She believes calls for a ban are \u201cmotivated by political and economic issues.\u201d The two major parties that support the ban will contest a federal election next year. And media heavyweight News Corporation, which has pushed for the ban, has a separate dispute with Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/technology\/meta-says-will-no-longer-pay-traditional-news-content-australia-france-germany-2024-03-01\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Meta announced in March it would stop paying Australian providers;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Meta announced in March it would stop paying Australian providers<\/a> for news, provoking a furious reaction from News Corp, the dominant player in Australia\u2019s highly concentrated news industry.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"col-body mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Michael Miller, executive chairman of News Corp Australasia, addresses the National Press Club in Canberra in June. - Hilary Wardhaugh\/National Press Club\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/LEVO1pplypSRCY0eqxcziw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/cnn_articles_875\/eed2567651db37e15e92c7c9ae99ef7b\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-[4] size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Michael Miller, executive chairman of News Corp Australasia, addresses the National Press Club in Canberra in June. &#8211; Hilary Wardhaugh\/National Press Club<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">News Corp Australia executive chairman Michael Miller <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/technology\/australia-should-force-meta-pay-news-news-corp-executive-says-2024-06-05\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:delivered a nationally televised speech in June;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">delivered a nationally televised speech in June<\/a> calling for the government to push Meta to pay, saying, \u201cWe can\u2019t let ourselves be bullied.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">News Corp had launched its \u201cLet Them Be Kids\u201d campaign the month before, telling the stories of children harmed by social media and pushing for a ban for under 16s.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">News Corp-owned <a href=\"https:\/\/www.couriermail.com.au\/news\/queensland\/key-moments-in-push-to-change-social-media-age-limits-to-16\/news-story\/e491037d392092c59740a0f84cb4afa3\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:The Courier Mail;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">The Courier Mail<\/a> recently credited the campaign with leading discussion around \u201cthe damage caused by tech platforms to young people \u2026 with that reporting now set to result in seismic changes to online laws.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">There\u2019s a long way to go before any ban comes into place. Even if it becomes law, the government says it\u2019ll give tech companies 12 months to comply, with the switch-off date to be set by the communications minister.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">In its <a href=\"https:\/\/digi.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Sub057_DIGI-1.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:submission to the joint committee;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">submission to the joint committee<\/a>, the Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI), which represents social media companies in Australia, <a href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/21677026231207791?icid=int.sj-full-text.citing-articles.4\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:said research to date;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">said research to date<\/a> had not established \u201ca direct causal link between social media use and youth mental health issues in Australia or globally.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">DIGI, whose members include Meta, Snap, TikTok and X, said it shared the government\u2019s commitment to improving online safety.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"col-body mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Social media apps subject to the proposed ban include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit and X. - Mateusz Slodkowski\/SOPA Images\/LightRocket\/Getty Images\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/XSR1sq1hDbwicMihz.eP2g--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/cnn_articles_875\/e5beb49e7fad10fb906bcfa39f2a0885\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-[4] size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Social media apps subject to the proposed ban include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit and X. &#8211; Mateusz Slodkowski\/SOPA Images\/LightRocket\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">X owner<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1859479797329535168\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Elon Musk;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"> Elon Musk<\/a> was less diplomatic in a post on his social media platform. The self-proclaimed \u201cfree speech absolutist\u201d and close ally of US President-elect Donald Trump, posted that the ban \u201cseemed like a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Other providers have made an effort to engage on the issue.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Snap Inc., whose messaging service Snapchat was allegedly used to bully Charlotte O\u2019Brien and Ella Catley-Crawford, said \u201cbullying has no place\u201d on the app, and has encouraged children who have problems to block and report offenders.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Instagram, owned by Meta, recently paired up with Kids Helpline in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ormoku70nfk\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:an anti-bullying campaign \u201cHow do you mean?\u201d;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">an anti-bullying campaign \u201cHow do you mean?\u201d<\/a> that asks content creators how they cope with bullying online. Asked why they wouldn\u2019t just log off, some said it would be \u201cunfair and unrealistic\u201d to leave because their community, friends and family are online.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">The message was that \u201ceveryone faces mean behavior\u201d but there are ways to deal with it \u2013 notably pressing a button to report and block \u2013 before seeking adult help.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"col-body mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Under the law, social media accounts already created by children under 16 would be deactivated. - skynesher\/E+\/Getty Images\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/MTiDFJ3yIWA4i8Jh00361g--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/cnn_articles_875\/e70b1409fe9ccd58baebb17441d06c31\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-[4] size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Under the law, social media accounts already created by children under 16 would be deactivated. &#8211; skynesher\/E+\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Some parents believe there\u2019s enough mean behavior in real life, without adding social media to the mix \u2013 especially in junior high, a time, Einstein the psychologist says, when children are forming friendship groups, and sometimes ostracizing classmates who for whatever reason aren\u2019t deemed to fit in.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Pendergast, the cyber safety educator, says she\u2019s seen enough mean behavior in her travels to schools across the country to know that something needs to change.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cIf a simple rule protects just one child and helps them grow into a strong, resilient young person with their privacy intact, isn\u2019t that worth it?\u201d she wrote in a Facebook post.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cWhy would we deny a child that protection? Why is child online safety being treated like a political game? And why has the debate over \u2018ban or no ban\u2019 turned into a competition, when the only ones losing while we argue are the kids?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cnn.com\/account\/register?source=external-feeds_iluminar&amp;cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo&amp;registration_email_campaign=https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/newsletters\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:CNN.com;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">CNN.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1660802\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/school-bullies-moved-online-banning-003548116.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kirra Pendergast talks to thousands of teenagers each year in her role as a cyber safety educator. She knows what they get up to online \u2013 the texting, the bullying, &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=129604\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-129604","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-world","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129604","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=129604"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129604\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=129604"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=129604"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=129604"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}