We must act! As those who should, will not!
August 2024
In last nights episode of Q&A on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Yarra Valley Grammar Principal, Dr Mark Merry made it very clear the difficulties schools are facing regarding the proliferation of Social Media and Big Tech into the classroom and school yard.
Schools are working very hard to minimise risk and harm, with pretty much all Australian schools investing a great deal of time and money on Cyber Safety education and resources.
Year 12 student at Yarra, Noah Cameron also reflected the difficulties children are facing in the online world. They are being targeted by Big Tech with algorithmic designs which are far more advanced then many of us will ever understand. But Noah also reflected my excitement in how kids are waking up to such manipulation.
Many parents (sadly not all), are also doing their best to keep on top of the extremely difficult world Big Tech almost forces them into. It is extremely difficult to be a parent in the modern world because of how easy it is for kids to be exposed to online harm. Even with rules in place, apps to assist and conversations, the poor design of online environments can trip up even the most vigilant households.
Governments are responding with resources, regulation and advice to parents, educators and kids. Some argue the regulation side of Government, with the introduction of positions such as eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman - Grant, are a way to 'control the people'. This is simply not correct and reflects nothing more than a lack of understanding and respect to exactly how much harm Australians are facing online (especially our children).
The level of criminality being perpetrated in the environments Big Tech provide is extreme. It is not 'just a part of the internet', it is prolific and unrelenting.
I have personally seen a 1300% rise in Sextortion against teenage males over the past 4 years, that number being supported by The Commissioners claim of 1200% over the same period.
If there was a similar rise in the road toll or aviation disasters, then people would be demanding the Government do something! When it comes to the online world, some sectors of society seem more concerned their perceived lack of certain rights should take precedent over the rights of others not to be exposed to harm or extreme content.
A statement by an audience member on last nights episode of Q&A was X (formerly Twitter) should not be censored at all. This is such a dangerous statement. Does no censorship promote a free for all culture? If a user was to post a video on X of a 4 year old child being sexually abused, should it be permitted to stay viewable on the network?
If it is removed, then that is censorship and goes against the demanded rights of people such as Elon Musk and the audience member on Q&A. Where do we draw the line?
Trying to keep on top of this harm is not an invasion of free speech, nor is it a drive toward governmental censorship of the people or a removal of rights. Done right, regulation will act as another tool to minimise risk, whilst still allowing people to enjoy the things the internet has to offer.
But above all of this, what was extremely clear in last nights episode of Q&A, was that everyone else is working extremely hard to make the online world safer, except those who should be the most responsive.
Big Tech have continued to neglect and ignore morals when it comes to the design of their environments. They have been allowed to grow without rules and the lack of regulation they have enjoyed has promoted a culture of profit above user safety and we are seeing the result of that neglect globally.
If they continue to refuse to act on the ethical design of their environments (and they will), then who else will?
Big Tech can no longer be trusted to do it, so it is time others stepped up. That is what Australia is doing and I applaud those who have the courage to do it.
View the ABC Interview, "Toxic social media content is impossible to avoid, but companies are in hiding." - HERE