POLITICS
We all have a role to play in keeping our kids safe online with Michelle Rowland MP
Our children are digital natives who learn , explore , connect and engage with their friends online . They can also wander into harm ’ s way .
As a mother of two young daughters , I understand the concerns parents have around social media , like bullying , peer pressure and negative body image . Or unintentionally accessing harmful , distressing and age-inappropriate content .
Recent research by our online safety regulator , eSafety , found almost twothirds of 14 to 17-year-olds have viewed extremely harmful content including drug abuse , suicide or self-harm , as well as gory or violent material online . A quarter have been exposed to content promoting unhealthy eating habits .
Digital platforms , government and society all have a role to play in ensuring our children are safe online .
We know that technology moves fast , and no government can protect every child from every threat , every day . But we have to do all we can to address this .
The Albanese Government is leading an important national conversation on this issue , and we are engaging experts , parents and young people .
Parents I speak to are rightly concerned about the potential for social media to negatively influence or harm their children .
Young people are telling me they understand the need for protections too .
Our government will introduce legislation into the Parliament by the end of the year to create a new minimum age for access to social media .
In this pursuit , the national conversation has proposed a range of ages to be considered .
We will be guided by evidence . Our age assurance trial is testing technologies that could be effective to ensure ages from 13 up to 16 . eSafety is also working across multiple fronts to support a safer online environment for all Australians .
It offers a wealth of resources to help put parental controls in place and guide important conversations about children ’ s online experiences . I encourage parents , carers , educators and children to visit www . esafety . gov . au to find out more .
Australia leads the world in online safety , but with technology evolving rapidly , we need to stay vigilant .
Our priority is the ongoing safety of Australians , and that ’ s the forward-facing national approach we are taking .
BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 43 // OCTOBER 2024 19