Oxfordshire campaigner says Australian social media ban is a "brilliant first step"
Jack Abraham calls for similar measures to protect children in the UK
An Oxfordshire campaigner has spoken of his support for Australia's nationwide ban on social media access for people under 16, describing it as a "brilliant first step" and calling for similar efforts to be introduced in the UK.
Jack Abraham, a university lecturer and Oxfordshire's leader for the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign, believes Australia’s move could help spark meaningful conversations globally about protecting young people from the harmful impacts of technology.
Australia’s ban, which has come into effect today, will require all social media users to be aged 16 or over - a decision Jack has welcomed, while cautioning that wider action is needed.
"If they brought it in here, I'd be very supportive of it, but it wouldn't solve the problem," Jack said. "I think it's also about making change in the minds of young people."
The Smartphone Free Childhood campaign focuses on encouraging parents to discuss restrictions on smartphone use.
Jack pointed to links between social media usage and issues with regulating emotions, controlling habits and body image.
"We have to recognise the power of these things smartphones that you and I have in our pockets," Jack said. "For you to be able to see it as a useful tool and put it down and walk away from it takes a level of maturity."
He said many young people in their late teens and early 20s have expressed regret about their early exposure to social media.
"More young people are coming out saying would they wish they never had social media at school. They just wish they'd grown up in the time that I was a teenager, when it wasn't a thing, because they've seen all these problems," Jack said.
The Smartphone Free Childhood campaign continues to work at grassroots levels to help parents and teachers in Oxfordshire address the challenges posed by smartphones and social media.
Jack highlighted that legal efforts are also underway, including a fundraising campaign led by two fathers in Oxfordshire to make a case to the UK Government about introducing new laws on safeguarding children.