The social media summit’s second day has begun, sparking discussions on parental navigation of the online world and potential regulations. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns highlighted the lack of generational advice for modern parents facing social media challenges with their children. The summit, co-hosted with South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, is focused on limiting youth access to social media due to its negative impact on mental health in young people.
Minns emphasized the absence of traditional wisdom for parents dealing with social media issues, as previous generations did not face the same challenges. He pointed out that this generation is the first to experience widespread use of social media without guidance from older family members.
Despite evidence showing the harm of social media on young people, Minns criticized social media companies for not taking sufficient action to address these issues. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, recently announced plans to restrict Instagram use for individuals under 18, but Australian officials believe more action is necessary.
The summit is exploring decisions on age restrictions and penalties related to social media use. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland assured that children and parents will not be penalized for violating any new rules, with the responsibility falling on social media platforms to enforce restrictions. The government is considering banning children aged 14-16 from using social media, with some groups advocating for a minimum age of 16.
Rowland highlighted the importance of creating age-appropriate digital platforms and encouraging tech companies to prioritize user safety. She mentioned Meta’s introduction of “teen accounts” on Instagram as a positive step towards creating a safer online environment. The government is also exploring exemptions for less harmful social media platforms and plans to provide a grace period for technology giants to adapt to new regulations.
Overall, the summit aims to address the challenges of social media use among young people and encourage responsible practices by tech companies to safeguard users, especially children. Please rewrite this sentence for me.
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