[Netherrealmer]

Beauty Tiktok influencers turned American little girls into Sephora monsters, . Also American boys became huge fans of Andrew Tate and Logan Paul. So Australia may not want that aside from the cyberbullies and predators.

[Jem Smith]

Beauty Tiktok influencers turned American little girls into Sephora monsters, . Also American boys became huge fans of Andrew Tate and Logan Paul. So Australia may not want that aside from the cyberbullies and predators.

Of course we don't want boys becoming fans of Andrew Tate, but it would be better to handle that by talking to boys and teaching them basic decency.

Taking social media away is going to actually hurt some lonely teens a lot.

[Tendz]

There are pros and cons to social media, and rather than an outright ban, they could find a better way by making age checks stricter, teaching people how to use it wisely, and having open discussions about online content.

[cmoneyspinner]

Of course we don't want boys becoming fans of Andrew Tate, but it would be better to handle that by talking to boys and teaching them basic decency.

Taking social media away is going to actually hurt some lonely teens a lot.

I agree. Also, if you look at the history of banning, it never really worked. People just went underground. If you want to ban something you literally have to burn it. Because if it still exists somewhere. people will find a way to get to whatever it is that was banned.

In South Korea, they banned erotic literature (pornography) and bibles. It didn't stop booksellers from selling the books. There was a thriving black market. That was books in print that you could actually burn. Can you imagine trying to control digital media?

[Kalayla]

Even in China, they couldn't completely ban social media. It is not going to work too in Australia. Just talk.

[Jem Smith]

Even in China, they couldn't completely ban social media. It is not going to work too in Australia. Just talk.

They're not completely banning social media, just for children under 16. I agree though, it's not going to work.

[cmoneyspinner]

They're not completely banning social media, just for children under 16. I agree though, it's not going to work.

Probably won't work. But don't you wonder how many people actually worked on this "project" and got paid? The people who came up with this idea didn't do work for free. I do wonder how much money they earned. I also wish I could get a paying job doing stuff and not really have to show results.

[Jem Smith]

They're not completely banning social media, just for children under 16. I agree though, it's not going to work.

Probably won't work. But don't you wonder how many people actually worked on this "project" and got paid? The people who came up with this idea didn't do work for free. I do wonder how much money they earned. I also wish I could get a paying job doing stuff and not really have to show results.

The idea came out of lobbying after a child died so a lot of it was volunteer work. Whoever's on the logistics of trying to make it work gets paid though, so yeah I see your point.

[cmoneyspinner]

a child died

Do you know how many of our children have died because of mass shootings? While the Australians worked hard to ban social media, American politicians are doing nothing to control guns.

You tell me ... WHY do individuals need to own MILITARY ASSAULT RIFLES!! Those WEAPONS were DESIGNED FOR MILITARY COMBAT!!

But! We have the NRA lobbyists and they are very influential. (NRA = National Rifle Association.) Since the gun manufacturers can only sell so many guns to the military that was cutting into the bottom line profits, they started selling AK-47s TO EVERYBODY! From 18 years old and UP!

For a while under POTUS George Bush (the son, not the father), he BANNED military assault weapons. I don't WHY he made it a temporary ban and not a permanent ban. But when that ban expired ... Wel!! You can see the results.

I applaud the Australians. At least they do care when their children die. When children die in America, politicians say "Our thoughts and our prayers are with the families and the communities."

And you know what else: "We are putting more funds into mental health treatment because we are having A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS!" (in Texas)

Right. Put a bandaid on a gaping wound and say you treated it, so it should be all good now.

EVERYBODY WHO SHOOTS A GUN AIN'T CRAZY!!

Also, they passed a law to put more security in schools and then they came up with excuses about why they can't implement the law effectively. Some nonsense about BUDGET and how much it costs. (in Texas)

POLITICS is supposed to shape our societies for the better and address the needs and aspirations of communities.

I don't know about politics in the rest of the world, but American politics is DISGUSTING!! The politicians serve their own bellies, the ones who are crooked and corrupt. Politics is a great cover for evil deeds.

Then we have politicians that are JUST PLAIN STUPID like Marjorie Taylor Greene. How did that woman even get elected? SHE'S A TOTAL NUTCASE!!

OR the other politicians who offer nothing but impractical solutions to VERY DIFFICULT SOCIAL ISSUES like Bernie Sanders and Robert Kennedy Jr.

OR the other politicians who are "Yes men" and kowtow to Trump because they're too scared to tell the king he's walking around naked!!

And ... Sorry. I'm going to stop here. I will just keep calm and carry on.

[Jem Smith]

a child died

Do you know how many of our children have died because of mass shootings?

I am well aware. The rest of the world looks on in horror at America's unwillingness/inability to fix the problem. When we had a mass shooting here in the 90s the government banned semi-automatic weapons and had a buy back scheme to get rid of the ones already in circulation. Touching wood, we have had very little gun violence since. I can only imagine how frustrating it is to live with the threat and the apathy towards it from the government.

[cmoneyspinner]

I am well aware. The rest of the world looks on in horror at America's unwillingness/inability to fix the problem. When we had a mass shooting here in the 90s the government banned semi-automatic weapons and had a buy back scheme to get rid of the ones already in circulation. Touching wood, we have had very little gun violence since. I can only imagine how frustrating it is to live with the threat and the apathy towards it from the government.

I am well aware of what other countries did and that's why I know America has NO EXCUSE!! It's plain to me that dirty politics, money, and power grabs are more than important than our children.

[Jem Smith]

Re. teens finding bad influences online, this is a good article about talking to teens about the 'manosphere' and people like Andrew Tate.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-08/talking-to-sons-about-the-manosphere-toxic-masculinity/103959106

"If something comes up that is of concern for you, Dr Coulson suggests explaining you are a bit nervous about it, and empower the child to share how they will protect themselves moving forward.
"It's really about effective problem-solving. Trying to find solutions we can feel good about that still give children as much as autonomy possible."

And another one.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-09/toxic-masculinity-social-media-content-impacts-teenage-boys/103810334

[cmoneyspinner]

Talking to teens—that's the key. Do it even if you think they're not listening. One time, I thought my daughter was not paying attention, and she spit back every word I said to her verbatim. And her brother said: "Well, she always had a good memory."