Over half of Australians take social media breaks for mental well-being, says Beyond Blue CEO.

During a Senate inquiry, experts emphasized the importance of tailored social media policies, cautioning against a blanket ban and advocating for safety by design.

Australia is currently navigating the challenges of regulating social media, particularly concerning the country’s youth. Experts warn that decisions made now will have long-lasting effects on society.

At a recent Senate Committee hearing on Social Media’s Impact on Australian Society, Georgia Harman, CEO of Beyond Blue, disclosed that 58 percent of Australians take regular breaks from social media for well-being reasons.

Harman noted the shifting public sentiment towards social media’s negative impacts, underscoring the need for a balanced approach to online engagement.

Regarding the proposed ban on social media for young people up to 16 years old, Harman stressed the significance of understanding the motivations behind their online behavior.

She urged a deeper examination of young people’s online activities, emphasizing the potential loss of valuable connection and engagement opportunities if regulations overlook the positive aspects of social media.

Most representatives stressed the complexity and nuance of social media regulation discussions, urging collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to devise informed and effective solutions.

Empowering Youth for Safer Online Spaces

Abby, a youth advocacy leader from Central Queensland, highlighted the importance of crafting policies that cater to the needs of young individuals who have grown up in the era of social media, focusing on creating safer online environments.

She advocated for policy changes that safeguard young people’s rights while fostering a secure digital landscape, emphasizing the necessity of teaching them how to navigate the online world safely rather than enforcing a blanket ban.

Ben Bartlett, Director of Government Relations and Communications at ReachOut, pointed out the multi-faceted impact of social media on mental health and advocated for evidence-based, co-designed policy responses.

Concerns were raised about the unintended consequences of banning social media platforms, with experts warning of potential new risks for young individuals. They stressed the need for a balanced, multi-layered approach to reform.

A coalition of organizations underscored the importance of collaborative efforts with governments, parents, and young people to develop effective solutions, which included co-designing reforms with young individuals and compelling social media platforms to prioritize safety over engagement.

Andrew Wallace, MP for Fisher, argued against a blanket ban, highlighting the need to address the inherent dangers of social media instead.

In response to these concerns, mental health advocates proposed regulations to enforce safety by design, such as implementing mandatory safety features and verification systems for mental health information shared on these platforms.

Understanding the Algorithm

Experts also emphasized the need for transparency around social media algorithms to facilitate more informed discussions about necessary reforms and their implementation.

Sandersan Onie of the Black Dog Institute called for social media companies to be more accountable for their algorithms and suggested designing them to steer users away from harmful content.

Efforts to regulate advertising and promote cooperation between social media platforms and public health organizations to ensure helpful content, especially during crises, were also advocated for.

While concerns about the negative impacts of social media are well-known, experts acknowledged its potential benefits, particularly in providing access to valuable health-related information for Australians.