ISA prepared this submission in response to the Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society’s inquiry into and report on the influence and impacts of social media on Australian society.
Social media provides many opportunities to connect with people and learn new information, but also comes with significant risks for young Australians that need careful consideration. Social media has been increasingly associated with online bullying, pornography, scams and poor mental health conditions, and has been described as being more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol.
This submission provides Independent school perspectives on the effects of social media use on students. It outlines the challenges of defining social media, the risks and benefits of social media, and the challenges in implementing age assurance technology.