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https://theconversation.com/culturally-diverse-teens-greatly-benefit-from-social-media-banning-it-would-cause-harm-232906>
"There is currently a bipartisan push from state and federal governments to
introduce laws in Australia banning young people under 16 from accessing social
media platforms. Politicians are citing fears that minors are exposed to
harmful or inappropriate content online.
The proposed reform has been accompanied by federal government plans to pilot
“age assurance” technologies. Proposed tools for age verification range from
uploading ID documents to the use of biometric face-scanning technologies. Most
of these methods are fraught with problems, including privacy risks.
Research from overseas has already raised concerns about the potential harms of
introducing a social media ban. Australian research has also pointed out how
essential social media is for young people’s fundamental right to access
information and participate in society.
However, less attention has been paid to what impacts the ban might have on
some of the most marginalised young people in the community.
We have conducted research with culturally diverse young people (aged 13–18),
and educators and policymakers in New South Wales and Victoria. In our
forthcoming study we found that young people who have migrated to Australia –
or were born to parents or grandparents who had – are capable users of social
media.
They use social media platforms to connect with culture and community, to have
a voice on issues that concern them, and to address digital and other social
harms.
Mirroring debates regarding the social media ban, our research also revealed a
gap between how adults and culturally diverse youths perceive the role that
digital and social media plays in young people’s lives. There is also a
difference of opinion over how to create safer online environments."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
