Teenagers and social networks: how to protect them from harmful content

96% of teenagers aged 13 to 17 years spend time on social networks where they can find more information for themselves using them almost constantly. On average they post on social media 6 times in 10 days. At the same time 2 out of 10 teenagers are isolated from real life.

Australia recently passed legislation introducing general ban on the use of social networks (Facebook, Reddit, Instagram, X, TikTok, but not YouTube) for users under 16 years of age. This radical measurewhich causes a lot of discussion. More 75% teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 years were exposed to harmful content on the Internet, such as drugs and suicide. It's on 35% more than in other countries, depending on where you live.

If you want this to happen, you can be sure that everything will be fine. Digital platforms must make appropriate changes that will allow check user age. Almost 80% While Australians support the measure, there are also those who have reservations about its comprehensiveness and the legal issues that might arise from its implementation.

Australia could be the first country to do so radical solutionbut other countries, including Greece, are also considering this issue based on scientific research.

96% teenagers aged 13 to 17 use social networks almost constantly. They post on social media 6 times in 10 daysAnd 2 out of 10 are isolated from real life, showing serious neglect of school responsibilities and other activities in favor of using screens, and also experiencing feelings of “deprivation”when they do not have access to them. More 40% Children aged 8 to 12 years are also susceptible to it.

The use of social networks has both positiveso negative consequences for children and adolescents. The impact of social media use on mental health children depends on many factors, including:

• content;
• exposure time;
• age of start of use;
• parental controls;
• limited activities such as sleep and interaction with others.

Children and adolescents are susceptible to influence depending on their socioeconomic backgroundas well as from their abilities or weaknesses and mental and physical health conditions.

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