Social media ban may not work in India but parents, institutions must step up: Cambridge School principal

By Jyoti Joshi

Australia has passed legislation to ban social media participation for children under 16; a Delhi school principal reflects on social media and Indian kids.

The Australian government recently passed a law that bans the use of social media by children below 16 years of age. This is unequivocally reflective of a global concern about the impact of social media on young minds.

According to what is being called one of the strictest social media crackdowns in the world, children under the age of 16 will not be able to create and use accounts on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and others. Placing a major chunk of the responsibility on these companies, the law calls for hefty fines on them if they’re unable to prevent children under 16 years of age from holding accounts on their platforms. Apparently, the law does not impose any penalties on the children or parents who violate it, putting the onus solely on the social media companies.

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The law is indeed a watershed decision, but there could be multiple perspectives from which to look at it and predict its outcomes.

While Covid-19 brought the world closer to screens, it has been, to some extent, challenging to get children off them post the pandemic. Though social media does bring with it some benefits, its unchecked use could be a cause of trouble.

Social media has fostered awareness

It cannot be denied that social media has facilitated connections with friends and family, bringing people more in touch with each other. It has also become a platform for children to express themselves, share their thoughts more freely, connect with like-minded people, exchange ideas, and rally support.

In addition, it does act as a source of information about topics of all kinds. In our classroom discussions nowadays, we often find students speaking confidently about topics that are relevant to society, challenging status quo, and raising questions. This wasn’t seen so frequently before and hence we like to believe that social media has a role to play in these growing levels of awareness among children.

Reality has taken back seat

That said, it is essential to reflect on the importance of making real-world connections during one’s foundation years.

Having a gargantuan number of followers on Instagram can’t substitute quality relationships with friends and family, and much like that, online gaming cannot replace real play. In our interactions with students, we frequently observe how real-life connections and physical play are taking a back seat, the reason being the enormous amounts of time spent online.

Social media distracts young minds

It is common to see children as young as those in primary school talking about social media fads. They are usually aware of the various trends it amplifies and discuss those with friends and classmates.

While it might seem intriguing and fun to them, they are too young to realise that it distracts them from a variety of other, more meaningful things they can learn and interests they can develop at that age.

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Mental health issues, bullying common

It is saddening to see numerous students struggling with issues like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders these days. While it cannot be attributed completely to one specific cause, the unrealistic standards of living, beauty, achievements, and the like portrayed on social media tend to set some irrational expectations that children are driven to meet. Not being reckoned in line with these standards shakes their self-esteem.

Cases of cyberbullying are also not new anymore, thanks to the unregulated access to social media.

Parents, schools need to step up

Schools and parents should step in to keep a check on children’s access to social media. We don’t allow students to use mobile phones in school, and parents also need to be as vigilant at home. While setting guidelines, encouraging alternative interests like reading, music, or sports might help limit screen time, walking the talk is of utmost importance.

On the other hand, schools should work on creating more awareness about digital safety, pros and cons of social media, and harmful effects of excessive screen time.

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Landmark step, needs careful implementation

Considering the possible and some already-visible problems with social media, the Australian government’s decision to ban its use for children under 16 years of age is a landmark decision.

At this sensitive age where children’s reasoning, critical thinking skills, and emotional resilience are still building, regulated use of social media may help in the development of socially and emotionally healthy adults.

However, every country has unique cultural and technological landscapes, and policies should thus be tailored to their specific needs. In India, where mobile technology is deeply integrated in education, implementing blanket restrictions might be cumbersome.

Nevertheless, we acknowledge the Australian government’s attempt to bring a shift of this degree and look forward to learning more about its outcomes.

Jyoti Joshi is the officiating principal of Cambridge School, Noida