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When should kids start using social media? Australia's government proposes age limit of 16 (apnews.com)

submitted 2 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/technology

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

No, bullying isn't the only danger. Addiction is another and that's just as bad here as for any other feed-based system. Legal addictive substances also have an entry age of at least 16, usually higher.

[–] a4ng3l 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Sure. Plenty of things are addictive as well. Games nowadays, sugar… they don’t get the hammer ban. Where’s everyone’s accountability when it takes the government to decide things for our kids? I for sure will support mine when they onboard social media - in the same way I’m trying to educate them of TV, Games, food, even music… That’s a parent’s job, not a government’s job in my opinion.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Good default, I'm of the same opinion, in general. We should only restrict entry age if simple education isn't enough - as can be seen by teen suicide rates rising in parallel with the spread of social media.

Sugar isn't restricted but alcohol and tobacco are. Why is that? Because there's a difference in addictiveness and possible harm done.

[–] a4ng3l 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

The difference in addictiveness of sugar compared to alcohol and tobacco is largely discussed isn’t it? I can’t source it but I read something about that. It’s more that our society is culturally more accepting of sugar than it should…

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I don't know about addictiveness but sugar isn't as harmful as alcohol, for example. Don't get me wrong - in my opinion the negative effects of sugar aren't taken seriously enough but they are far less pronounced and further down the road, while you can easily destroy your whole life in a year of alcoholism.