Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

#1134 - Australian Age-Based Social Media Bans Are Now Law [R]

Dec 1, 2024

18:20

A few months ago we spoke about the momentum that was building for age restrictions around social media for children under 16. On Friday those laws were passed in the Australian Parliament, so we thought this was the perfect opportunity to replay this episode, as it will help your family navigate the changes that are ahead.

In Australia, children below a certain age will be banned from social media as part of a national plan to counter its negative effects on youth. We discuss the government's commitments, the challenges this new legislation may face, and what parents can do now to protect their kids in a screen-saturated world.

In this episode:

'National Social Media Age Limit' | A Current Affair
Why 13+ is the current legal age
Collecting personal data
Politics and obstacles facing this legislation
The impact of social media on kids
Using screens well: with intentionality, self-regulation, limits
Play-based childhood vs screen-based childhood
Holding tech companies accountable
What parents can do while waiting for legislation to pass
Kids need smart parents not smartphones
Building community
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The Screen Smart Series: 'Unplug Childhood' & 'Tweens, Teens & Screens' (included in membership).