Interesting consistent research on the harm social media is doing to teen development is emerging.
This from today's Washington Post
'A wave of large-scale studies is quantifying how early smartphone access and heavy screen use can harm adolescent minds — and the findings are aligning in a way earlier research rarely did.'
'The numbers suggest screens are taking a broader, deeper toll on teens than many expected. Across multiple studies, high levels of screen use are linked to measurable declines in cognitive performance — slower processing speed, reduced attention and weaker memory. Rates of depression and anxiety climb steadily with heavier social media engagement. Sleep quality deteriorates as screens encroach later into the night, and researchers are finding troubling associations between screen habits and rising adolescent weight gain.'
'The debate is shifting from one about whether screens have an impact — to one about how far-reaching that impact might be and what society is willing to do about it.'
So while some can glibly scoff about the effectiveness of Albanese's social media bans for those 16 and under, the evidence makes it clear that it is at least a move in the right direction in trying to address a problem that is causing long term harm to our kids. And other countries who understand the extent of this problem are taking notice of Australia's attempts to change things.
From the same WP article:
Malaysian officials said a similar ban is starting next year, and the move is being watched by other countries that are considering adopting their own measures.
In the United States, several states have passed laws restricting children’s access to social media. Rahm Emanuel, the former Chicago mayor who said he may seek the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, has said he considers social media use among children a public health crisis and called for the country to follow Australia’s lead.
