A US social psychologist has highlighted the growing “craze” among children caused by widespread use of smartphones and tablets.
Jonathan Haidt praised Australia for “leading the way” with its bold new social media regulations.
He stressed that children’s and adolescents’ mental health has suffered significantly due to smartphone usage.
There is growing global discourse encouraging other nations, including the US Congress, to follow Australia’s example and set a minimum social media age of 16.
As a result, many developed countries are now discussing the implementation of minimum age requirements for social media.
Experts have outlined four key reasons for such restrictions: graphic sexual content, excessive violence, addiction, and physical danger.
Critics warn that all four risks are easily accessible to children simultaneously through social media platforms.
These concerns have fueled international calls for stricter regulations to protect young users.
