This week, psychologist Jonathon Haidt told the Sixty Minutes current affairs show in Australia that in 2012, rates of adolescent anxiety, depression and self harm began to spike across the globe. America, Canada, Australia, new Zealand, Scandinavia and all of northern Europe recorded massive jumps in adolescent mental health problems. It’s a trend that has continued.
Haidt suggested that the global boom in the use of smartphones by adolescents was the only possible conclusion for the unprecedented decline in mental health.
He called it the “great rewiring of childhood”.
Everywhere in our daily lives,at train stations,school playgrounds and even in gyms,you will see both children and adults adopting the classic “tech neck” position. Heads bent at an unhealthy angle, staring hypnotically at a screen.
Much of what these powerful algorithms feed into our apps is fear. As someone who loves the ocean, my phone is full of unwanted images of giant sharks.
While fear is a protective instinct in our evolutionary journey to avoid danger, millions of years ago, our ancestors evolved the emotional intelligence to conquer our fears by developing courage.
The clan, the village and the tribe were all born from having the courage to unite and act against a threat.if it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to protect them.
This week, the Australian federal government introduced groundbreaking laws that banned Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok and several other social media apps for children under 16. It is a valiant piece of legislation. While highly controversial, this initiative has enjoyed almost unprecedented public and political support. The vast majority of Australians see it as our community uniting to protect our children.
Psychologists, psychiatrists and many grieving parents were the driving forces behind the drafting of this legislation.
While the australian government concedes ther are many avenues for kids to get around the roadblocks and find paths back on to the sites, this is being framed as the first shots in what will be a long and evolving battle towards protecting our children.
Australian e-safety commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the banning of the apps could be the “antidote” to “one of the greatest social experiments of our time on our young people”.
Amid this debate, I have been helping a friend coach his under-16s rugby team.
On several cold and dreary evenings over the past few weeks, when I would much rather have been toasting my feet in front of the fire and watching Netflix, I found myself in a tracksuit, enjoying the experience of working alongside a team of young men, helping them break a long losing streak.
At these training sessions
The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever: Protecting Youth in the Digital Age
The recent victory of a rugby team, overcoming notable disadvantages in skill and league standing, offered a powerful reminder of the value of resilience – a quality increasingly absent in today’s youth, according to psychologists. But the challenges facing this generation extend far beyond the sporting field.Thay are navigating a world uniquely burdened by the pervasive influence of technology and artificial intelligence, forces that pose a significant threat to their mental and emotional wellbeing.
The core prize in sport, and in life, isn’t simply winning, but the journey of self-discovery and the advancement of character. However, this journey is being profoundly altered by the digital landscape. This is not merely a concern for parents; it’s prompting governmental action.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony albanese recently addressed concerns about the impact of social media on children,suggesting alternatives like sports,musical instruments,and reading during the summer holidays. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/06/anthony-albanese-urges-australian-children-to-put-down-phones-over-summer-holidays While some may view this advice as “old school,” it underscores a critical point: leaving children’s development solely to algorithms is a risky proposition.
This isn’t a new pattern of societal failure. The horrific legacy of institutional physical and sexual abuse serves as a stark warning of what happens when powerful organizations are allowed to operate unchecked,and vulnerable children are left unprotected. Governments and families, intimidated by authority, failed to safeguard those most in need.
Today,a new form of predation exists – the products of immensely powerful technology companies. These platforms are increasingly recognized as detrimental to the mental health of young people. While Australia is taking steps to address this, with discussions around banning social media for those under 16, https://www.reuters.com/technology/australia-considers-banning-social-media-under-16s-2023-12-06/ much of the world remains hesitant to confront these tech giants.
Ireland, in particular, faces a complex dilemma. Its tax base is heavily reliant on these same “Big Tech” companies that own the apps linked to rising rates of youth mental health issues. https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/2023/12/08/ireland-s-reliance-on-big-tech-tax-revenue-complicates-social-media-regulation/ This economic dependence creates a conflict of interest, raising concerns that the government may prioritize financial gain over the wellbeing of its youngest citizens.
The Irish people must demand that their government prioritize the protection of children. Legislation is urgently needed to address the “ticking time bombs” that smartphones and social media represent in the hands of young people. The lessons of the past are clear: failing to protect vulnerable children has devastating consequences. The time to act is now, before another generation is lost to the unseen predators lurking in the digital world.
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