I have no idea, but reducing the dopamine addiction of young kids can’t be all bad…
Australia’s landmark new social media age law is set to go into effect, barring anyone under 16 from holding an account as the government moves to enforce one of the world’s strictest online safety measures.
The Australian government’s Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act, passed in November 2024, began to be enforced on Wednesday.
“From December 10, if you’re under 16, you’re no longer allowed to have a social media account,” said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a video statement that was played in classrooms ahead of the social media restrictions, according to 9 News Australia. “You’ll know better than anyone what it’s like growing up with algorithms, endless feeds and the pressure that can come with that.”
Full article, HERE from Fox News.
This ‘idea’ has been bouncing around for a couple of years now. It used to be that kids had a 30 second focus ability, but thanks to all the media crap, the dopamine hits, and rage vids, it’s apparently down to about 12 seconds…
This is apparently (depending on the study you believe), based on the ‘shorts’ on the various platforms that have kids chasing from video to video, platform to platform. I know my grandkids don’t get unlimited screen time, and what they watch is closely monitored by their parents. They also have outside activities and sports to keep them occupied!
I also wonder if is partially responsible for the beta male/aggressive female crap we’re seeing with the latest generation. With everybody with a cell phone/camera, and people more interested in videoing the fights/whatever is happening, rather than breaking it up, has this led to people fearing to get involved?
I dunno, but it makes sense to me…
In other stuff that has me ‘worried’… While I was out seeing the kids/grands, I went to my 2nd grade granddaughter’s school to see her get an award. Small school, appx 225 kids K thru 5th grade. The number of obviously neurodivergent kids surprised the hell out of me. At least a dozen of all grades wearing mickey mouse ears due to the ‘loudness’ of the assembly, ten that I could ID that were in their own little worlds, including one third grade boy who was spinning in place, ‘whipping’ the kids around him with the cord of his headset, a 5th grade girl who was flopping around on the floor, not looking at anyone, and ignoring the teacher’s attempts to calm her. Two boys, 5th grade, touching, punching each other and escalating throughout the assembly. Finally those two were separated… A number of other kids who had to be taken out of the assembly, usually shivering and scared of their own shadow. Another thing that surprised me was the number of 4th-5th grade girls who have obviously ‘developed’. And at least one of the 4th graders looked to be 15 or 16! Two of the 5th grade (12 years old) girls looked to be 18 or 19. One of the 5th graders, probably neurodivergent or troublemaker, kept trying to get the male teachers to ‘chest bump’ with her. The teacher was staying as far away from her as he could. Disgusting, to put it mildly, and the teachers have little to no control, apparently due to the illegality of touching or punishing students.
We saw similar behavior in a Washington DC elementary in 2017. Teachers aren’t allowed to discipline anymore, it seems. And then, they try to mainstream kids who should be in Special Ed. It’s such a disruptive atmosphere, it’s a wonder if the kids learn anything at all.
Mainstreaming of Spec. Ed. has been a huge burden on teachers and a great problem for any student who’s actually trying to learn. A teacher in a classroom of 30 kids–with 5 or 6 Special Ed. students, including a few who have in their plan that they can’t be disciplined for their behavior, and with many of the other students constantly sneaking looks at their hidden, “banned in TX” cell phones–will find it very difficult to maintain order. Classrooms today are very different from what they were when I was in HS in the late 1970s.
Hey Old NFO,
Part of the “development” is that all the steroids and other stuff in the foods have started the puberty cycle earlier and earlier in the kids, hence the “additions” you see. Plus with all the “Children’s advocates” that are running around, the average teacher can’t do anything about it and the fact that unless I miss my guess, you are in Cali, which exacerbated the situation. I fear the the new generation. Covid screwed a generation of kids.
I got nothing nice to say, and you know momma’s rule…
X2
On the other hand… there are some. I managed to travel to a big southern city not far south of DC last weekend to see my two grandchildren (11 and 14) and couldn’t be happier. Granted, both of them are a bit more “developed” than I seem to remember my peers were some 70 years ago… but they are genuinely good kids and hard working. Very good schools both of them (Maggie Walker Governor’s for one, and an excellent arts oriented middle for the other). One is one of the top 5 girls in very competitive swimming in the state of Virginia, and nationally ranked, and the other was one of the star headlined dancers in the professional Nutcracker ballet. What’s not to like? Yes, I am a proud granddad!
All- Thanks, and congrats Ian! That is great news!
“… has this led to people fearing to get involved?”
Being utterly financially destroyed by an overzealous prosecutorial system, or being sued into bankruptcy by someone who will not accept an apology or an offer to make amends – those are what I think are the main driving forces for people not wanting to get involved anymore.
The other thing to consider about these social media/age verification laws, is that they strip anonymity from anyone posting. In the United States, there is a long legal history of SCOTUS supporting anonymous speech. I suspect you will see legal challenges to these sorts of laws if they are proposed (or passed) by any of the States or U.S. FedGov. Regulating a minimum age for consuming alcohol, or driving a motor vehicle doesn’t fall into the same legal category as regulating speech, or having access to same.
I honestly keep looking for some corporation incorporated in the United States (probably Delaware) to tell the rest of the world’s governments to go pound salt with regard to their intrusive laws which attempt to govern speech and impose their will and reach beyond their sovereign borders. “Firewall us off if you consider freedom too much to handle, you socialist Jackwagons.” Actually, this may be exactly whats 4-Chan is doing, come to think of it.
The problem becomes when the companies start taking money from people in those countries, or more specifically, from advertisers in that country’s market (offering up local advertisements to that country’s users in exchange for funds.) That changes things: Now the company is “doing business” in that country and the government of that country can now make a legitimate claim that their laws and regulations apply (at least in so far as the users and/or companies from their country are concerned.)
This is all going to get terribly messy (as if it wasn’t already.)
In other news… New glasses today. Progressive lenses. This is going to take some getting used to.
This is an extremely bad idea promoted by both major political parties in Australia. It is designed to lead to all access to the net requiring an ID for everyone. Do not be fooled.
You need to remember that us Australians have NO civil rights, only privileges which can be taken away at any time for any or no reason.
Please also send a snatch team to grab our e-safety commissar, Julie Inman-Grant(dual US/Australian citizen) and put her on trial in the US for anything that will put her away for a long time.
Besides, the kids will easily get around this. I know one at age 13 who would have taken all of 5 minutes. He did do a fake covid pass on his phone when 14.
Also note that BlueSky is specifically exempt from the ban. Are the pieces coming together now?
My memory isn’t what it was, but didn’t all these “social media” platforms have a policy of “for ages eighteen and over” when they were first launched?
There has been a massive swing from “seeking approval from family”, to “seeking approval from friends and family”, to “seeking approval from some unidentified strangers in some unidentified places – oh look a squirrel!”
Genuine accomplishment through hard work and dedication seems to have a lesser place in this modern world.
I am happy to confess that I have NO social media presence (that I know of) other than this gmail account that is connected to discord solely so I can communicate with my son, and used to comment here and elsewhere.
So, you’re saying that the Left’s plans are proceeding apace?
Ag- So far, only 4Chan is fighting back, but I think more will.
Eyrie- Good points, thanks!
Sendarius- Correct, back in the day… If I didn’t do this blogging thing, I’d be gone in a heartbeat. I envy you!!!
TB- That’s what it looks like, at least to me…
After the jug eared communist Commissar of the USSA, Barack Hussein Obama, pbuh and Big Mike his “wife” got involved with a black professor who looked like he was breaking into a house and a White neighbor who called the police, I decided I will ignore any crime.
Maybe it is my neighbor’s nephew who forgot the key. I will not ruin my life for a neighbor.
Sorry, progs, that is the world you have created. A law abiding man will not help stop crime because I might become the victim of the authorities and social media.
Protect my family and close friends, yes. Neighbors, strangers? Nope, not worth the risk.