If you own a mobile phone or use the Internet, social media is an essential part of life. No matter your choice of platform, whether it be Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok, social media offers a place for people to connect – to share stories, the things that excite them, and even the occasional meme.
While social media can often portray itself as a shiny, glossy mosaic of what life can be, its emergence as the dominant way many people communicate has led to challenges — particularly for younger audiences. From social media addiction to the rise of cyberbullying, proposed legislation from the Albanese Government looks to change the way that young people can access and use the Internet.
How will these changes impact web users more broadly? For example, link-building services play a vital role in digital marketing. Will these services change their strategies to comply with new online safety standards?
The Rapid Evolution of Social Media
Social media has long been a rapidly expanding sector of the internet. More than 23 million Australians used social media in 2023. It is constantly experiencing growth phases. Social media is now the modern town square. It allows people to connect by sharing ideas, memories, or memes.
Today, social media users are scattered across various platforms. Each platform offers a unique way to share and engage. Everybody on social media can choose to share content. They can do so through Facebook posts, Instagram reels, or TikTok videos. This allows them to meet their interests and needs.
The Impacts of Social Media on Teens
What are social media’s impacts on users? As we’ve seen in the past, platforms have often been susceptible to misuse. One such example was the Cambridge Analytica scandal. In this scandal, investigators harvested tens of millions of Facebook profiles. They used these profiles to develop targeting strategies for potential voters.
It may seem like platforms are only susceptible when big companies do bad things. However, social media can impact young people. It can open up channels for bad actors to bully, harass, and intimidate teens. It can also provide a channel where users become addicted and don’t feel they can disconnect. This can lead to developing serious FOMO (fear of missing out).
In the past, platforms have been accused of being designed to encourage users to fall into addictive patterns of behaviour. Consider, for example, an infinite reel of videos and content. This design makes it unlikely that a user will watch one video and move on.
Research has also shown that social media at a young age can lead to poor mental health outcomes. Consider a teenager who only sees material on the internet that promotes an unhealthy body image or lifestyle. This exposure may lead teens to fall into a state of depression or anxiety. They may think that what they are and what they have does not meet society’s standards.
Social media allows young people to connect. However, it also presents immense challenges. Navigating social media safely can often be challenging, even for the most aware teens.
Protecting Vulnerable Teens
So, how do we begin to protect the most vulnerable in our society? Starting a conversation about social media with children can often be challenging. Particularly if parents have never been exposed to the platforms themselves. Still, that’s often the first point of call for many families.
Fortunately, there are many strategies that parents can use to manage social media use among teens. This will help to tackle many of the concerns that arise when using platforms. These strategies may include:
- Regularly check privacy settings. Ensure that teens know who they’re sharing their content with. Teach them what to do if they need to change visibility.
- Having a conversation about social media. When parents are open and accessible, teens feel safe. They are assured that if trouble arises online, they’ll be supported.
- Setting screen time limits — to help prevent teens from spending unhealthy amounts of time online.
These strategies can help to protect teenagers. But more can be done in this space to protect young people.
Calls for Changes to Social Media Access
A recent announcement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese looks to rewrite the conversation on social media for teens. With plans to introduce a formal age limit for social media platforms, up from the standard of 13.
With more than half of Australians in a recent survey supported an age limit and even more stringent measures. These measures may include a licensing model, an industry code of conduct, and the power regulators’ order to remove content.
While these proposed changes are popular among parents, can they be implemented? Research has estimated that as many as 90% of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 have identified that they’ve used social media. What can be done to promote an orderly transition away from social media platforms?
Experts Call The Changes Flawed
While a social media ban is popular among parents. However, a coalition of experts has emerged. They question whether such a ban could have unexpected consequences for teenagers’ access to help and support services.
In a submission to a parliamentary inquiry in June 2024, National eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant questioned whether a ban would actually prevent young people from accessing social media rather than engaging with less regulated platforms.
Other experts have noted that by design, it would be easy for teens to circumvent any proposed changes. For example, using a VPN (virtual private network) to bypass any Australian social media restrictions and instead use social media across international borders.
The Albanese Government proposes changes intended to benefit social media’s most vulnerable audiences. However, feedback from critics has shown that agreement on reform is not as close as initially thought. As policymakers and experts come together to create new solutions, teenagers and their parents anxiously await their next move. This legislation will shape the digital experiences for a new generation of Internet-savvy teens.
Leave a Reply