Perspective: The Prohibition of Social Media for Individuals Under 16 in Australia is an Essential Measure

Rene Philippe Dubout
May 4
3 min read

The escalating severity of online bullying, from its origins on playgrounds to its manifestation on screens, necessitates a collective worldwide initiative involving lawmakers, platforms, schools, and parents, each fulfilling a crucial role.

Bullying has consistently been a distressing ordeal for numerous individuals, casting a pall over their developmental years. The bullying I endured in a small French town pales in comparison to the challenges young people encounter online nowadays. In the past, bullying was constrained by physical and social boundaries. Currently, it possesses neither limits nor conclusion.

An Individual Encounter with Bullying

During my childhood in a small French town, I was subjected to incessant teasing and bullying, although having done nothing to incite it. My father's sister married the son of the casino proprietor - a notable individual in the region. Although this association was unrelated to my family, we were unjustly categorized as “the affluent ones.” This erroneous assessment incited animosity, derision, and ultimately, harassment.

In both academic and communal settings, I encountered mockery, derogatory remarks, and instances of physical altercations. However, a significant distinction exists between bullying in the past and present: formerly, there were means to address it. Each instance I confronted my bullies — regardless of the outcome of the altercation — conveyed an unequivocal message that I would not be an effortless target. In the majority of instances, that sufficed to halt it. Bullying, however distressing, possessed a conclusion.

Reasons for the Impossibility of This

Currently, cyberbullying precludes the potential for resolution. Social media platforms offer a venue for harassment to persist anonymously, incessantly, and openly. In contrast to actual fights, which conclude naturally, online assaults are exacerbated with each like, remark, or share. The victim is unable to assertively declare, “Enough,” as bullies conceal themselves behind screens, and their audience exacerbates the cruelty.

The Distinct Hazards of Cyberbullying

Online bullying is more severe than my experiences in two significant aspects:

Permanence: An insult or rumor on social media remains indelible. It remains available and visible, capable of resurfacing at any moment, compelling sufferers to repeatedly endure their humiliation.

Amplification: While a school confrontation may be observed by a limited audience, an online assault might disseminate to thousands in few minutes. The disgrace grows widespread and international.

The Accountability of Platforms and Legislation

Governments, including Australia recently, are attempting to tackle the issue by enacting legislation that prohibits individuals under 16 from accessing social media. Although well-intentioned, these laws are difficult to police. Concurrently, platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat must assume accountability by enhancing content moderation, safeguarding at-risk users, and restricting the misuse of their functionalities. They are obligated to guarantee their platforms do not facilitate violence.

What Actions Can We Undertake?

To address online bullying, a collaborative strategy is essential:

Governments: Enhance legislation to safeguard at-risk users.

Platforms: Create effective instruments to identify and eradicate hazardous behaviors.

Parents and schools should instruct youngsters on online self-protection while cultivating empathy and awareness of repercussions.

Final Analysis

The bullying I endured was severe, yet it had boundaries. Today, social media has eradicated those boundaries. Addressing online bullying necessitates a collective worldwide initiative in which all stakeholders — legislators, platforms, educators, and parents — assume a crucial role. Collectively, we can convert these digital instruments, intended to facilitate connections among individuals, into secure environments devoid of cruelty.