Security advocate backs Australia's social media ban for teens

Martin Kraemer, a Security Awareness Advocate at KnowBe4, has commented on Australia's proposed bans on social media for young users, stating that while age bans are essential, their effectiveness hinges on proper policing and education for both parents and schools.

Kraemer pointed out that smartphones offer numerous conveniences and benefits but highlighted the growing concern over their impact on children. He stated, "Smartphones are a highly useful technology, putting everything the internet can offer at our fingertips. However, when it comes to children, most parents can relate to relying on smartphones for convenience and peace of mind."

He elaborated on the negative consequences, saying, "The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that children who have access to smartphones, particularly social media, are experiencing negative impacts on their development in ways we haven't seen in previous generations. Social media is leading to increases in cyberbullying, higher rates of mental illness, and poor social, physical and academic development."

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has also expressed concerns. Last year, the OECD warned that digital distractions are lowering students' school performance globally. Kraemer noted, "In Australia, the results showed teenagers are significantly lagging the academic performance of kids from 20 years ago, before the advent of smartphones. Given that 90% of OECD teenagers reported owning or having access to a smartphone in 2019, and spending an average of three hours online per day outside of school, this should no longer come as a shock."

Kraemer cited examples from other countries where restrictions have yielded positive results. "In the UK, Spain, and Belgium, schools that have barred smartphones have seen students' academic performance soar. A recent Norwegian study found that girls fared much better after smartphones were banned in schools, reporting a 60% decline in psychological symptoms and a 22% improvement in their maths marks," he explained. "Socially, both boys and girls benefited from the ban, with fewer instances of cyberbullying and a marked improvement in face-to-face communication," he added.

According to Kraemer, adults are also not immune to the adverse effects of smartphone overuse, experiencing issues such as relationship neglect, overwork, sleep disturbances, and depression. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts, stating, "These studies suggest that governments and schools need to come together to implement stricter controls. Australia will be an important test case for the rest of the world."

While Kraemer praised initiatives like South Australia's move to legislate a ban for individuals under 14 and the Federal Government's suggestion to extend it to under 16, he stressed the importance of enforcement. "Bans are only as good as the education and policing that surround them. Legislated age limits for movies, online content, alcohol, and tobacco are often ignored by kids and parents. Age verification technology on social media will inevitably result in tech-savvy teens beating the system or exploring other parts of the internet," he warned.

Nonetheless, Kraemer believes that legislating age limits is crucial for building a culture of safety among communities and families. He drew parallels with smoking bans, observing, "Since 2001, Australia has seen a 53% drop in the number of smokers. The operative word here is actively; when it comes to phones and social media, schools, government, and law enforcement will need to work together to decide on appropriate education, cyber monitoring, and recourse for offenders, and remain active and extensive in how they police it."

Kraemer also highlighted the importance of digital literacy education at both school and home. He stated, "Digital literacy training programs in the classroom are crucial and should be part of the standard curriculum. It should include education about privacy, cybersecurity, online risks, how to protect personal information, and how to navigate digital spaces safely." He added, "Parents should be given as much education and support as teachers to help monitor and restrict their kids' screen time and content."

In sum, Kraemer advocated for a balanced approach to technology usage, stating, "As with most things in life, technology should be used in moderation and responsibly at home and in the classroom—or simply not at all."