In case you’ve been out of the loop with AusPol, Australia could potentially be the first country to implement a social media ban for children 16 and under. Creators at the 2024 TikTok Awards have chucked in their two cents on the history-making bill, and how it could impact their careers.
On Wednesday, the government’s proposition to legislate a social media ban for children under 16 was passed through the House of Representatives, meaning it could become the law.
But as news of the history-making ban progressing through to the Senate bubbled in the news cycle, Wednesday also hosted the 2024 TikTok Awards — the social media platform’s annual awards night that celebrates all the contributions made by creators on its platform.
It’s kinda like some poetic juxtaposition, amirite?
Surprisingly, most creators at the 2024 TikTok Awards agreed with the government’s plan to implement a children’s ban on social media, with many citing the mental health risks that come with social media and as well as inappropriate behaviour some kids might come across on platforms.
What do content creators think of Australia’s social media ban?
TikTok juggernaut and PEDESTRIAN.TV’S 2024 Creator of the Year Anna Paul acknowledged that if she were in the kids’ shoes, she would hate the ban, but also understands why it was proposed in the first place.
“Listen, if I was 15 I’d be like, ‘No, I hate it,’ but because I’m 25, I’m like yeah, do that,” she told PEDESTRIAN.TV.
“It’s so bad for your mental health.”
TikTok comedian Tim Collins — who was nominated for 2024 TikTok’s Comedy Creator Of The Year — also shared that it could be a good thing as he reflected on his behaviour as a teen on Myspace.
“There’s so many layers to it,” Collins began.
“I mean like, unrealistic beauty standards to online bullying and all that sort of stuff. I had Myspace and like even that was brutal, you know?”
Creator Bodhi Jako touched on how social media has made kiddos prone to doom scrolling and how the ban could encourage children to go out and experience life beyond the screen.
“In those days I spent so much time outside. If I had been doom scrolling through all of it I would have missed so many experiences and I believe in it,” the 21-year-old Aussie creator shared.
Whilst many recognised how social media has detrimental effects on children, some creators also recognised its benefits and how the ban in itself is a “double-edged sword”.
“I can see why they wanna do it and I can also see why it would be so damning to people and so upsetting,” actor Indiana Massara said.
TikTok For Good nominee Stephanie Coral Browitt also reminded folks to see the benefits of social media and how it can be a great educational tool for children.
“I think it’s important to remember that I can be beneficial and it’s not all negative and it’s not all bad,” Browitt shared.
When will Australia’s social media happen?
Although the ban has the support of both major parties, other politicians — alongside human rights groups and teenagers themselves — have voiced their concerns.
Independent lawmaker Zoe Daniel said the ban would “make zero difference to harms that are inherit to social media,” adding that it will give parents a false sense of security, the ABC reports.
Amnesty International Australia has spoken out against the ban, calling for the Albanese government to regulate social media rather than kicking kids off.
"Rather than banning children and young people from social media, the Albanese government should regulate platforms to protect children’s privacy and personal data while prioritising their human rights." pic.twitter.com/s0oL0U4BJV
— Amnesty International Australia 🕯 (@amnestyOz) November 21, 2024
Despite the opposition, a survey conducted by YouGov found that 77 per cent of Aussies supported the under-16 social media ban.
At the time of writing, the bill has only been passed through to the Senate. However, a vote on the ban could happen on Thursday.
Image source: Getty Images and PEDESTRIANT.TV
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