Australia's social media ban risks isolating kids with disabilities
5 hours ago
- #youth isolation
- #disability advocacy
- #social media ban
- Indy, a 14-year-old autistic girl, used social media as a safe space to connect with friends and express herself.
- Australia's new social media age restriction laws, effective from 10 December, have left Indy feeling isolated and disconnected from her online friends.
- Social media provided Indy and other disabled youth with accessible ways to build connections and find community.
- Advocacy groups warn that the ban disproportionately affects marginalized and disabled youth, cutting off vital support networks.
- Ezra Sholl, a 15-year-old disability advocate, highlights how social media helps him feel less isolated despite his severe disability.
- Some young people have evaded the ban by bypassing age verification or creating new accounts.
- Dany Elachi, founder of the Heads Up Alliance, advocates for parental moderation of children's online exposure, comparing it to restricting cigarettes and alcohol.
- The ban aims to protect children but risks increasing isolation and vulnerability for disabled youth.