




READ MORE

SBS Việt ngữ

Vì kết nối xã hội đóng vai trò trung tâm đối với sức khỏe tinh thần của thanh thiếu niên, cha mẹ có thể giúp các em lên kế hoạch những cách khác để duy trì liên lạc. Credit: ridvan_celik/Getty Images






SBS Việt ngữ
spk_0
SBS acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and their connections and continuous care for the skies, lands and waterways across Australia.
spk_1
You're listening to Australia Explained, an SBS audio podcast helping you navigate life in Australia.
spk_2
Australia's teen social media ban is about to begin, but there is still a lot of uncertainty about how it will work. The details continue to evolve, but one thing is clear: families play a central role in helping children navigate whatever comes next. So, how can you talk with young people about these changes?
spk_2
And have healthy conversations about staying connected with their peers.
spk_3
How would you go about downloading all your favourite selfies with your friends? You've got the connections there with that particular group. Are there other ways that you might be able to replicate that in a safe space? This
spk_2
is Australia Explained, and I'm your host, Maram Ismail. In this episode, you'll learn about the upcoming changes and how experts recommend you help children prepare for the changes.
spk_2
Australia will introduce its teen social media ban on Tuesday, the 10th of December. Social media companies will be required to take reasonable steps to stop people under 16 from having accounts. TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Kik, Reddit, Threads, Twitch, X, and YouTube are already included, and more platforms may be added. The responsibility falls on the platforms themselves.
spk_2
There are no penalties for parents and children if an under-16 still has an account after the start date. Companies are expected to use age assurance technology to estimate a user's age, and they must offer options beyond scanning a government ID. Young people will still be able to watch content on.
spk_2
Such as YouTube and TikTok without logging in. The e-safety commissioner, who is overseeing the introduction of the ban, says it's unlikely that all accounts for under-16s will disappear on December 10th, and it will be a gradual process, but experts say it is important to start talking to children early.
spk_2
Catherine Page Jeffrey, a senior lecturer in media and communications at the University of Sydney, explains, social
spk_4
Media is really important for young people. It's a really important way for them to connect. I think parents trying to get a better understanding of how important media and social media in particular is in young people's lives is an important first step.
spk_2
Dr Paige Jeffrey studies digital media and families. She says digital media often creates conflict.
spk_2
In Australian families, and disagreements can arise when parents don't understand how important it is in their children's lives.
spk_4
Parents really need to acknowledge the importance of social media in the lives of their children, and that having that taken away from them is not an insignificant thing. I think a lot of young people will be upset. Some may feel isolated.
spk_2
The risk of isolation is especially worrying for young people from margin.
spk_2
communities, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, young people living with a disability, young people in rural or regional areas, and LGBTQ plus young people. I
spk_4
think it's really important that parents talk to their children and make sure that they have established other ways of staying connected with peers to make sure that they are not cut off.
spk_2
Leo Hede, service manager for Kids Helpline,
spk_2
says it's important to remember that online communities can be more important for young people from marginalised communities because they may not have the same sense of connection and safety in their real world environment.
spk_3
That's an important message for us to amplify to parents, to adults, to government, wherever we can, that these communities and connections that young
spk_3
People are making have great benefit for them and that quite often they are doing it safely and that they do have confidence and competence to navigate the complexities of this and that we shouldn't underestimate them.
spk_2
eSafety provides resources on their website for parents and children, including conversation.
spk_2
and a get ready guide to help young people prepare. Other groups like schools and support services like Kids Helpline are offering their own resources as well. Mr. Heath says it's important to not be dismissive of young people's feelings.
spk_3
We then encourage parents to talk to kids about the options, how they are going to manage their wellbeing through this transition.
spk_3
What other supports might they have if they felt that they're going to lose this strong sense of connection with this person online? What else could they do to manage that? Could it be a real world connection that they could look to? Are there things that the parent could support them with to help them have those connections?
spk_2
He says the steps will differ across platforms, but talking with children about the upcoming ban can help them adjust. This might include working together to save their photos,
spk_2
videos, or other memories before their accounts are closed.
spk_3
How would you go about downloading all your favourite selfies with your friends? You've got the connections there with that particular group. Are there other ways that you might be able to replicate that in a safe space with some of the applications that are still available, or are there completely different options that you could look at to have some of that need met?
spk_2
One strategy recommended by
spk_2
Kids Helpline is giving your children a get out of jail free card.
spk_3
What we mean by that is telling your kids that if something does happen online where they do need help, that they can come to you and just tell you, and you will not react in the moment, and you will listen to them and you will help them through
spk_2
it. Mr Hede says young people often say they are worried about asking for help because they don't want to cause their problem.
spk_2
Parents' extra stress since young people are likely to try to find ways to keep using these social media platforms or new services not included, they may still experience harm online, he says. This encourages open communication without the fear of being in trouble. eSafety suggests Kids Helpline's peer-to-peer programme MyCircle and Beyond Blue forums as safer alternatives for young people to connect online.
spk_2
Paige Jeffrey says it's important to keep talking with children about their experiences online, but even
spk_4
after the ban takes effect, parents do still need to be continuing the conversations with their children about online safety.
spk_4
About online risks because a lot of the online risks are not just on social media, there are a lot of risks more broadly. So I think one of the worst things that parents can do is just now kind of disengage from having those conversations with young people.
spk_2
Thank you for listening to this episode of Australia Explained, written and produced by Veronica Lenard, hosted and mixed by me, Maram Ismail. Australia Explained managing editor is Roza Germian.
spk_1
This was an SBS audio podcast. For more Australia explained stories, visit SBS.com.au/Australiaexplained.
spk_2
Subscribe or follow the Australia Explained podcast for more valuable information and tips about settling into your new life in Australia. Do you have any questions or topic ideas? Send us an email to australiaexplained@sbs.com.au.

SBS World News