THE Australia recently approved an unprecedented law in the world that prohibits the use of social networks by teenagers under 16 years old . Technology companies have already been notified and, in case of non-compliance, they could be fined more than R$190 million.
To discuss the impacts of this measure and the use of social networks by young people, the education specialist at Instituto Alana, Rodrigo Nejm, gave an interview to CNN .
Impacts of social networks on child development
Nejm highlighted that social media platforms were not designed for children and teenagers warning of the damage they can cause to development. “The platforms contain content, information that has enormous harm to their development and there is a huge challenge in preventing young children from accessing these platforms,” he stated.
The expert highlighted impacts on self-image, socialization and the way young people deal with information. Furthermore, he mentioned problems related to the dissemination of false information and the accelerated and fragmented contact with information, characteristic of social networks.
Consequences for physical and mental health
Nejm also addressed the consequences of excessive use of social networks for the physical and mental health of young people. He mentioned impacts on sedentary lifestyle, sleep quality and mental health, highlighting that “9 out of 10 Brazilian men and women recognize that there is a problem when we think about the use of social networks by children and adolescents”.
The specialist emphasized the importance of contact with nature and social interaction without the mediation of screens for the healthy development of children and adolescents. “We need to consciously rethink this. It is not healthy for any human being to stop having contact with nature, to stop having contact with other children in the collective space to be able to play without the mediation of screens”, he warned.
Shared responsibility
Finally, Nejm highlighted that the responsibility for the healthy use of the internet by children and adolescents should not fall solely on families and schools. He argues that the companies that create the platforms also have a duty to ensure that younger children are not in these spaces and that these environments are healthier for all users.
“Protecting our children on the internet and not from the internet, we can take advantage of the good opportunities that technology has for all ages”, concluded the expert.
This content was originally published in The controversial ban on social networks for young people up to 16 years old: expert explains impacts on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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