Smartphones and Social Media: Lessons Tonga Can Learn from Australia’s Fight to Protect Children
Children’s widespread use of smartphones and tablets has been labelled “insanity” by a United States social psychologist, who says Australia is “leading the way” with its “bold” new social media laws.
In Australia, leading psychologists like Jonathan Haidt have raised the alarm about the dangers smartphones and social media pose to children under 14. Haidt argues these technologies are contributing to a mental health crisis, with increased rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm among young people. Tonga, as a developing nation, can learn from Australia’s proactive steps to address these issues.
The Problem: A Global Mental Health Crisis
Haidt, a social psychologist, highlights that mental health issues among adolescents began to rise sharply around 2010, coinciding with the widespread adoption of smartphones and social media. He identifies key harms of social media, such as:
- Social Isolation: Children spend less time interacting face-to-face, leading to weaker social bonds.
- Sleep Deprivation: Late-night screen time disrupts healthy sleep patterns.
- Fragmented Attention: Constant notifications and scrolling affect focus and learning.
- Addiction: Social media platforms are designed to keep users hooked, often to the detriment of mental health.
These problems are not unique to Australia. Tonga’s growing reliance on smartphones, particularly among youth, means these risks are becoming a reality here too.
What Australia is Doing
Australia has begun implementing solutions to protect its children. South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, influenced by Haidt’s research, is advocating for stricter regulations, such as age verification on social media platforms. These measures aim to shield children from the harmful effects of online platforms.
Jonathan Haidt also suggests additional strategies, including:
- Government Action: Enforcing laws that ban social media accounts for children under a certain age and implementing robust digital safety standards.
- School Policies: Banning phones during school hours, increasing recess time, and encouraging physical activities to replace screen time.
- Parental Agreements: Initiatives like the “Wait Until 8th” pledge, where parents agree to delay giving children smartphones until at least eighth grade.
- Tech Solutions: Platforms like iOS and Android are being encouraged to improve parental controls and create child-friendly app versions
Why Tonga Needs to Act
Tonga is at a crossroads. While smartphones and social media have brought connectivity and opportunities, they also introduce challenges that larger nations like Australia are already struggling to address. By acting now, Tonga can avoid the full brunt of these negative effects.
Protecting Our Children
Tonga’s youth are the future. Unchecked access to smartphones and social media risks exposing them to cyberbullying, addiction, and mental health issues. Implementing policies inspired by Australia can help create a safer environment for our children.
Government and Community Effort
The Tongan government, schools, and parents must work together to address these issues. Possible steps include:
- Legislation: Create laws to limit social media use among young children.
- School Rules: Ban phone use during school hours and promote sports or traditional Tongan activities as alternatives.
- Parental Education: Help parents understand the risks of early smartphone use and encourage delayed access.
Moving Forward: Tonga as a Model Pacific Nation
If Tonga takes proactive steps, it could become a model for other Pacific nations in addressing the digital challenges of the modern age. By learning from Australia’s policies and adapting them to our unique culture, we can protect our youth while still enjoying the benefits of technology.
The new government must take the lead in initiating a national dialogue on this critical issue. Engaging stakeholders—schools, parents, community leaders, and experts—will be crucial in crafting legislation that suits Tonga’s unique context. The question is no longer whether we should act, but how and when. The evidence is clear: safeguarding our children from the harmful effects of unregulated smartphone and social media use is essential for their well-being and future.
What is the next step for Tonga? By prioritizing the mental health and safety of our youth, we ensure not only a healthier generation but also a brighter future for our nation. Let us embrace this opportunity to act decisively, for it is obvious that such measures can only be a good thing for the children of Tonga. The time to act is now.
Jonathan Haidt was interviewed on ABC Radio https://ab.co/3W8eIba
This primary school rules should apply to the Tongan Parliament so they can concentrate on the issues discussed. On live telecast you see half of them either falling asleep or on their phones.