Challenges and opportunities in social media law timing

The timing of the approaching social media restrictions for under 16s carries both challenge and opportunity, according to two Wangaratta secondary school principals. From 10 December, age-restricted social media platforms will have to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians aged under 16 from creating and keeping an account. The laws are designed to protect children from the pressures and risks to which they can be exposed via social media, and to restrict the amount of time they spend on screens. Cathedral College Wangaratta principal Nick Jones said while he was fully supportive of the new social media laws, he felt the timing of their introduction could present difficulties for some young people. "For some students, social media platforms are their only form of contact with their peers outside school, and the change will take place just as they are finishing school and heading into the long summer holidays," Mr Jones said. He said the college had been working with students in years five to nine around what they should be doing in the lead-up to the change, as well as supporting families so they were prepared ahead of time. Mr Jones said he likened the social media laws to the seatbelt laws introduced in Australia in the 1970s. "At the time it was a major change, but now we don't even think about it, and simply reach for our seatbelts as soon as we get into the car," he said. "I think it will be a pretty similar feeling in a few years' time about under 16s not using social media." Galen Catholic College principal Shaun Mason agreed that the timing could prove difficult for some, but said the summer months also presented an ideal opportunity for children to "get outside and connect in the real world". "It's not happening in the middle of winter, when you just want to stay inside," he said. Mr Mason encouraged parents to have honest conversations with their children around social media use in the lead-up to the restrictions, particularly those who had been utilising platforms which would no longer be available to them. "It's all about talking and acknowledging the fact that young people are experiencing a loss, and acknowledging that it is a genuine loss," he said. "Some kids will feel this is unfair, and we need to lean into that and remind them about why the laws are there in the first place. "It's also about tapping into resources, including using wellbeing supports at school. "Most schools have started outreach work and are sharing information with students and families using newsletters and - pardon the irony - social media." Mr Mason recommended the use of eSafety Commissioner resources available at https://www.esafety.gov.au. He said he was hopeful the new laws would have a positive impact. "It's definitely worth the effort; there are so many benefits to our kids in disconnecting with social media, including their health and sleep patterns," he said. "We need to help our young people to be the best they can be, and to have a childhood and adolescence that is safe and protected. "I also think it's pretty exciting that we're groundbreaking in terms of introducing these laws in Australia."

Challenges and opportunities in social media law timing

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