The Australian government announced on November 28 that TikTok would be banned effective December 10. This important move to further protect children online is a big win for child safety. Communications Minister Anika Wells moved quickly in making the decision, following an outcry. These concerns focus largely on the negative effects of social media on Australian children and teens.
Recent statistics that found four in ten Australian children have encountered harmful content on YouTube recently came to light. This underscores an emergency imperative for action. The government decided this after being advised by e-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant. She emphasized the threats that today’s social media platforms are creating.
Even if you don’t use TikTok, this ban could have serious implications for you. Niche YouTuber Grace Mulgrew joined the opposition, saying that the ban would “dramatically reduce” the amount of people she was able to reach. She noted that when kids are going on their parents’ accounts, her videos may not be recommended as frequently. Doing so may just hamstring her ability to break through with the more elusive, and more important, younger audiences.
Mia Bannister, a grief stricken mother. After her son Ollie, 14, took his life last year as a result of social media harms, she has become a tireless advocate fighting the need for reform. Bannister, in the company of two other parents who have suffered similar losses, has told their compelling narratives. They delivered their testimonies straight to the Prime Minister’s office.
“This restriction, while specific to account creation is a good starting point. We won’t stop pushing for real, meaningful reform. Together we made change happen, and together we will keep going. Thank you.” – Mia Bannister
The government’s move has sparked debate among stakeholders regarding the best approach to ensure children’s safety online. In fact, many experts counter that it’s more important than ever to rein in big tech. They think that an outright ban is not the answer. Lizzie O’Shea, a legal expert, highlighted the importance of privacy reform as a means to address underlying issues related to social media’s design.
“I absolutely think there’s a role for government here to regulate large technology companies from a safety perspective. The question is what form should that take? An outright ban has these technical problems which I think can be distracting from other reforms.” – Lizzie O’Shea
Ted O’Brien, an opposition spokesperson, questioned the government’s transparency regarding its intentions before the recent decision. He warned this lack of communication between agencies indicates the federal government is not truly committed to tackling the safety of children.
“There’s no doubt that the safety of children has to come first. What’s curious is the government did not make it clear to the Australian people its intent before the election. Now it’s changed its mind.” – Ted O’Brien
As such, the valid concern over harmful content isn’t unique to TikTok. Leo Puglisi, founder of 6 News, warned that children are increasingly inundated with dangerous misinformation. This exposure includes print media, radio, television, and social media. He cautioned that the restriction could isolate teens from important news outlets. This lack of access would limit their ability to remain engaged.
“Broadly it does restrict the access of teenagers from getting news and information. This ban just cuts that off or at least it seems to be attempting to do that.” – Leo Puglisi
As Australia grapples with the implications of this ban, the dialogue continues around how best to protect children while ensuring they have access to informative and safe online content. Adding to this complicated picture, Google has previously sent signals of its intent to sue the government.
“It’s delulu to think that Google will just do the right thing. They need to be forced to do it, and that means a legislated enforceable duty of care and to be licensed.” – Sarah Hanson-Young
