Man I hope Australia goes through with this, actually enforces it, and it works and then we can copy it in Canada.
One interesting thing to watch for will be retaliation from the Trump administration. They explicitly tied the Canadian Digital Services Tax to our current trade discussions and Canada ended up dropping it a bargaining chip for more important trade issues.
If the US tech companies think that getting kids addicted early is a big revenue driver, and the US Congress doesn’t care about that for American kids, we may see a similar thing here, where Australia is told to drop this law or face escalating trade consequences. Hopefully that doesn’t happen but after the way it’s gone for Canada lately, I’m a bit nervous.
THIS is such a brave & courageous move by Australia! I’m hopeful the will be the fire-starter our country, (& all the world’s,) kids & teens NEED to thrive. Thank you for sharing!🩵
I am here to share that there is no need for so much YouTube in the classroom. I have been in and out of classrooms and see it heavily used for filler time. I.e Bluey and content that should be covered by the teacher. We can’t keep outsourcing teaching to tech!!
There is this misconception that AI/technology is the way to equip students for the future world. However, the most important life skill that we need for our humanity is human connection, understanding, and the reciprocal connection that comes from interpersonal communication. That is the most undervalued skill in schools.
Agree with this. It’s unbelievable what is shown in classrooms now. Grizzy and the Lemmings when a supply teacher can’t fill the time? I get that controlling elementary students is challenging but that’s the job — not drugging them via online videos.
As a dad of a 1 and 2 year old in Australia, I'm bloody pleased with this. There's been the usual fake outrage here in the media around this law though. I'm also hopeful by the time my kids reach their tweens the phone landscape will be completely different to today. And at least through Jonathan's work I'm aware of some of the issues around screen time and social media.
I think it's a step in the right direction, although I can already imagine 'reasonable steps' means barely anything. There surely won't be a new department created within Meta- Australia to scan passports through to verify age. So whose responsibility is this? What if this extends to other markets (ebay/amazon/anywhere where you purchase things) and then there is a need for a government ID database that's so cybersecure and encripted that will effectively be used as a 'microsoft authenticator' but for age. Didn't France have something like it?
The pretext of child protection will soon be forgotten and resources will be focused toward surveillance of adults who have the necessary digital ID. It is the way of all things government
Are any of the cited problems specific to teens? I was 17 as a college freshman. Turned 16 after a HS junior. So I would have been cyber-isolated and challenged in these yrs already socially problematic because I had no drivers' license until after graduation. I read a lot as a teen. Participated in many other adult activities. Crucial to my college prep and on from there.
The main characterisation I have heard of it is that it is a Trojan Horse for the government‘a new digital ID system. I’m sure there are well meaning people involved in it as well but I largely agree with the predominant characterisation given the Labor government’s track record of lying through omission. I’m sure a lot of parents do feel a heavy burden lifted from their shoulders now that it is the government’s responsibility to tell their children ‘no’.
Ever heard of a Hegellian Dialectic? Examine the role & character of Australia's "E-Commissar", here we name her the E-Karen. An American Corporate witch, with outrageous powers & reach (and well, wellll paid,). This filthy Kontrol Freak Karen wants to CRUSH Real News & replace with FedGov Mal, Mis & Dis-information. And DO NOTE: We are still FULL STEAM AHEAD with the DeathJab BioWeapon programme... like all Autocratic Left DiKKTators, she believes in The Noble Lie, 🤫 it's for their own good...
Let the parents take responsibility. I am an Australian who is sick and tired of the government deciding what I can and can't do. I wasn't on social media until about 17 and I didn't need our nanny state to manage that for me.
This post came at the most serendipitous moment, as I’m talking about social media with my first year writing students this week. I’ve had them already write some reflective “tech memoirs” that narrate their love/hate relationship with a piece of tech, and the ones that mention their phone or social media ALL described how it ate up time and being present, and left them feeling crappy. I am cautiously hopeful for what Australia is doing. It is something.
Man I hope Australia goes through with this, actually enforces it, and it works and then we can copy it in Canada.
One interesting thing to watch for will be retaliation from the Trump administration. They explicitly tied the Canadian Digital Services Tax to our current trade discussions and Canada ended up dropping it a bargaining chip for more important trade issues.
If the US tech companies think that getting kids addicted early is a big revenue driver, and the US Congress doesn’t care about that for American kids, we may see a similar thing here, where Australia is told to drop this law or face escalating trade consequences. Hopefully that doesn’t happen but after the way it’s gone for Canada lately, I’m a bit nervous.
THIS is such a brave & courageous move by Australia! I’m hopeful the will be the fire-starter our country, (& all the world’s,) kids & teens NEED to thrive. Thank you for sharing!🩵
I am here to share that there is no need for so much YouTube in the classroom. I have been in and out of classrooms and see it heavily used for filler time. I.e Bluey and content that should be covered by the teacher. We can’t keep outsourcing teaching to tech!!
There is this misconception that AI/technology is the way to equip students for the future world. However, the most important life skill that we need for our humanity is human connection, understanding, and the reciprocal connection that comes from interpersonal communication. That is the most undervalued skill in schools.
This ↑↑↑
Agree with this. It’s unbelievable what is shown in classrooms now. Grizzy and the Lemmings when a supply teacher can’t fill the time? I get that controlling elementary students is challenging but that’s the job — not drugging them via online videos.
It is a start.
Where are the parents? I wasn't allowed to use the phone until I got to high school.
The parents are too busy addicted to their own social media.
As a dad of a 1 and 2 year old in Australia, I'm bloody pleased with this. There's been the usual fake outrage here in the media around this law though. I'm also hopeful by the time my kids reach their tweens the phone landscape will be completely different to today. And at least through Jonathan's work I'm aware of some of the issues around screen time and social media.
I think it's a step in the right direction, although I can already imagine 'reasonable steps' means barely anything. There surely won't be a new department created within Meta- Australia to scan passports through to verify age. So whose responsibility is this? What if this extends to other markets (ebay/amazon/anywhere where you purchase things) and then there is a need for a government ID database that's so cybersecure and encripted that will effectively be used as a 'microsoft authenticator' but for age. Didn't France have something like it?
The pretext of child protection will soon be forgotten and resources will be focused toward surveillance of adults who have the necessary digital ID. It is the way of all things government
Are any of the cited problems specific to teens? I was 17 as a college freshman. Turned 16 after a HS junior. So I would have been cyber-isolated and challenged in these yrs already socially problematic because I had no drivers' license until after graduation. I read a lot as a teen. Participated in many other adult activities. Crucial to my college prep and on from there.
The main characterisation I have heard of it is that it is a Trojan Horse for the government‘a new digital ID system. I’m sure there are well meaning people involved in it as well but I largely agree with the predominant characterisation given the Labor government’s track record of lying through omission. I’m sure a lot of parents do feel a heavy burden lifted from their shoulders now that it is the government’s responsibility to tell their children ‘no’.
Ever heard of a Hegellian Dialectic? Examine the role & character of Australia's "E-Commissar", here we name her the E-Karen. An American Corporate witch, with outrageous powers & reach (and well, wellll paid,). This filthy Kontrol Freak Karen wants to CRUSH Real News & replace with FedGov Mal, Mis & Dis-information. And DO NOTE: We are still FULL STEAM AHEAD with the DeathJab BioWeapon programme... like all Autocratic Left DiKKTators, she believes in The Noble Lie, 🤫 it's for their own good...
Let the parents take responsibility. I am an Australian who is sick and tired of the government deciding what I can and can't do. I wasn't on social media until about 17 and I didn't need our nanny state to manage that for me.
Delighted Australian mum here 🥳🥳🥳
This post came at the most serendipitous moment, as I’m talking about social media with my first year writing students this week. I’ve had them already write some reflective “tech memoirs” that narrate their love/hate relationship with a piece of tech, and the ones that mention their phone or social media ALL described how it ate up time and being present, and left them feeling crappy. I am cautiously hopeful for what Australia is doing. It is something.