When We Know Better, We MUST Do Better

Australia is leading the way in banning social media for kids under 16. To gain access they are required to upload digital ID. My youngest son is a teacher there and I look forward to his insights.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐚? There is more and more indisputable research linking social media to severe challenges for our children and youth. (I am currently doing a literature review.) Let me site some.

𝗦𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟮𝟰/𝟳 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 (late‑night scrolling, notifications) links heavy social media or screen time to depressive symptoms and suicidality.

𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳‑𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗺. Constant exposure to idealized images and peer feedback loops (likes, comments, follower counts) is associated with body dissatisfaction, low self‑esteem, and depressive mood, especially in early and mid‑adolescent girls.

𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁. The shift from traditional bullying to cyberbullying means harassment can be continuous, public, and difficult to escape, and is strongly associated with nonsuicidal self‑injury, depression, suicidal ideation