The influence of technology and social media on young Australians

Technology and social media have become an integral part of the lives of young Australians. According to the latest report by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), 97% of Australian children aged 5 to 14 years use the internet, and 89% of them access social media platforms. Technology and social media offer many benefits for young Australians, such as enhancing their learning outcomes, facilitating their communication and collaboration, and providing them with entertainment and creative outlets. However, they also pose some risks and challenges, such as exposing them to inappropriate or harmful content, cyberbullying, privacy breaches, misinformation, and addiction. In this blog, we will explore the positive and negative impacts of technology and social media on the well-being, education, and social relationships of young Australians, and suggest some ways to mitigate the negative impacts and maximize the positive impacts.

The positive impacts of technology and social media on young Australians

Technology and social media can have a positive impact on the well-being of young Australians by improving their mental health, self-esteem, and happiness. For example, a study by the eSafety Commissioner found that 81% of young Australians aged 8 to 17 years said that being online made them feel happy, 76% said that it helped them cope with stress, and 74% said that it made them feel less lonely. Technology and social media can also help young Australians express their identity, creativity, and interests through various online platforms and communities. For instance, young Australians can create and share their own content, such as videos, podcasts, blogs, or artworks, on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or Spotify. They can also join online groups or forums that cater to their hobbies, passions, or causes, such as gaming, music, sports, or activism.

Technology and social media can also have a positive impact on the education of young Australians by enhancing their learning outcomes, skills, and opportunities. For example, technology and social media can provide young Australians with access to a variety of online resources, tools, and platforms that can support their learning process. These include educational websites, apps, games, podcasts, videos, or courses that can supplement their formal education or enable them to learn new things independently. Technology and social media can also help young Australians develop digital literacy skills that are essential for the 21st century. These include skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, communication, and information management. Technology and social media can also open up new opportunities for young Australians to pursue their academic or career goals. For instance, young Australians can use technology and social media to connect with mentors, experts, peers, or employers from different fields or locations. They can also showcase their achievements or portfolios on platforms like LinkedIn or GitHub.

Technology and social media can also have a positive impact on the social relationships of young Australians by facilitating their communication and collaboration with others. For example, technology and social media can help young Australians stay in touch with their family and friends who live far away or in different time zones. They can also use technology and social media to make new friends who share similar interests or backgrounds. Technology and social media can also enable young Australians to participate in online communities or networks that offer them support, advice, feedback, or recognition. For instance, young Australians can join online groups or forums that focus on topics such as mental health, wellness, diversity, or inclusion.

They can also engage in online activities or events that foster social interaction, such as gaming, live streaming, or quizzes.

The negative impacts of technology and social media on young Australians

Technology and social media can also have a negative impact on the well-being of young Australians by exposing them to inappropriate or harmful content, cyberbullying, privacy breaches, misinformation, and addiction.

For example, a study by The Conversation found that 45% of Australian children aged 8 to 16 years had seen violent images online, 35% had seen sexual images online, and 26% had seen hateful content online.

Technology and social media can also expose young Australians to cyberbullying,

which is the use of digital technologies to harass, threaten, or humiliate someone.

According to the eSafety Commissioner,

one in five Australian children aged 8 to 17 years had experienced cyberbullying in 2020.

Technology and social media can also compromise the privacy of young Australians by collecting, storing, or sharing their personal data without their consent or knowledge.

For example, some apps or platforms may track their location, browsing history, or contacts without informing them or allowing them to opt out.

Some hackers or scammers may also access their accounts or devices and steal their information or money.

Technology and social media can also expose young Australians to misinformation,

which is false or inaccurate information that is spread deliberately or unintentionally.

For example,

some websites or platforms may publish or promote fake news, rumors, or conspiracy theories that can mislead or manipulate young Australians.

Some users or bots may also spread misinformation through social media posts,

comments, or messages that can influence young Australians' opinions or behaviors.

Technology and social media can also cause addiction among young Australians by making them spend excessive amounts of time or money online.

For example,

some apps or platforms may use features such as notifications, rewards, or likes to encourage young Australians to use them more frequently or for longer periods. Some games or gambling sites may also use features such as levels, challenges, or bets to entice young Australians to play more often or with higher stakes.

The ways to mitigate the negative impacts and maximize the positive impacts of technology and social media on young Australians

To mitigate the negative impacts and maximize the positive impacts of technology and social media on young Australians,

there are some possible solutions or recommendations for young Australians, their parents, educators, and policymakers to consider.

For young Australians, they can follow some online safety tips, such as:

- Be careful about what they post or share online, and avoid revealing their personal information, location, or passwords to strangers or untrusted sources.

- Be respectful and responsible online, and avoid engaging in cyberbullying, trolling, or hate speech. They should also report any inappropriate or harmful content or behavior they encounter online to the relevant authorities or platforms.

- Be critical and informed online, and verify the credibility and accuracy of the information they receive or consume online. They should also seek out diverse and reliable sources of information and opinions, and avoid falling for misinformation or propaganda.

- Be balanced and mindful online, and limit their screen time and online activities to a healthy and reasonable level. They should also prioritize their offline activities and relationships, such as schoolwork, hobbies, sports, family, and friends.

For parents, they can provide some parental guidance, such as:

- Be aware and involved in their children's online activities and experiences, and have regular and open conversations with them about the benefits and risks of technology and social media. They should also respect their children's privacy and autonomy, and avoid spying on them or restricting them excessively.

- Be supportive and protective of their children's online well-being and safety, and help them cope with any online issues or challenges they face. They should also encourage their children to seek help from them or other trusted adults if they encounter any online problems or dangers.

- Be educational and inspirational for their children's online learning and development, and help them access and use quality online resources, tools, and platforms that can enhance their learning outcomes, skills, and opportunities. They should also motivate their children to pursue their academic or career goals online, and celebrate their achievements or portfolios.

- Be role models and examples for their children's online behavior and habits, and demonstrate how to use technology and social media in a positive, responsible, and balanced way. They should also set some rules

and boundaries for their children's screen time

and online activities,

and follow them themselves.

For educators, they can implement some school policies,

such as:

- Be proactive and innovative in integrating technology and social media into their curriculum and pedagogy, and use them to enhance their teaching and learning outcomes,

skills, and opportunities.

They should also provide their students with access to a variety of online resources, tools, and platforms that can support their learning process.

- Be responsive and adaptive to the changing needs and preferences of their students and parents regarding technology and social media use.

They should also communicate with them regularly and transparently about the benefits

and risks of technology and social media for education.

- Be supportive and protective of their students' online well-being and safety,

and help them cope with any online issues

or challenges they face in school or at home.

They should also educate their students about online safety tips, digital literacy skills, and cyber ethics and citizenship.

- Be collaborative and cooperative with other educators, schools, or organizations in sharing best practices and resources on using technology and social media for education.

They should also partner with them in organizing online activities or events that foster social interaction, collaboration, or exchange among students.

For policymakers, they can establish some regulatory frameworks, such as:

- Be consistent and comprehensive in developing and enforcing laws and regulations that protect the rights and interests of young Australians online.

They should also ensure that they comply with international standards and norms on online safety and security.

- Be consultative and inclusive in engaging with various stakeholders, such as young Australians, parents, educators, industry representatives, experts, or advocates in designing and implementing policies or initiatives on technology and social media use.

They should also consider their views

and feedback in evaluating or revising policies

or initiatives.

- Be supportive and facilitative of the innovation and development of technology and social