Author | Lightnews

Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · 8h

I am very grateful that eSafety Commission is attempting to create some societal guardrails for online technologies.
It will create some disruption to how we use the internet but is essential.

Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · 18d

xkcd.com/3151

Window Screen

xkcd.com

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Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · 20d

Enjoyed the respectful chat and heading to bed.
I wish you and your family well.

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Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · 20d

I think you misunderstand what the legislation will do, Leigh.
It will not lock kids out of the internet. It targets harmful design features (infinite algo scroll, prompts & notifications, auto-play) by preventing accounts.
Ample scope for parental education and showing their kids the ropes.

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Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · 20d

I hope you'll take another read through the report. It's very good.
(Also note this is not the Australian governments report/policy. I'm just referring to it as an example)

Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · 20d

We educate young people and public about drink driving AND we restrict driving to over 16s and prevent under 18s from legally purchasing alcohol.

a little girl in a white dress is looking at the camera

ALT: a little girl in a white dress is looking at the camera

media.tenor.com

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Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · 20d

Leigh, the 2025 internet is a different place/experience from the one you inhabited in your youth.
People are (rightly) concerned about gov control. Truth is those currently controlling online worlds have optimised for engagement & profit at the expense of child safety or public health.

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Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · 20d

Yes. The linked report and eSafety commissioner acknowledge those benefits digital rights.
But they also recognise the profound harms.
Suggested actions for policy makers, tech companies, parents and teens below.
The social media ban/delay is consistent with these recommendations.

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Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · 20d

Protecting kids in online world requires all of the above.
See this report by US Surgeon General pages 13 to 20 (also mentioned by SA Premier in the video previously linked)
bsky.app/profile/gjsm...

Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · 20d

Hi 🧠. Apologies to Leigh who is deff not silly.
Problem IS NOT ineffective parenting. There's o/whelming power asymmetry btw parents/kids & SM platforms.
Report by US Surgeon General recommends actions/engagement by policymakers, tech cos, researchers, parents AND teens.
www.hhs.gov/sites/defaul...

Page 5 of 2023 report "Social Media and youth mental health" by US Surgeon General.
Section title: Social Media Has Both Positive and Negative Impacts on Children and Adolescents
Highlighted text part 1: There is broad agreement among the scientific community that social media has the potential to both benefit and harm children and adolescents.
Highlighted text part 2: Because adolescence is a vulnerable period of brain development, social media exposure during this period warrants additional scrutiny.

Page 12 of 2023 report "Social Media and youth mental health" by US Surgeon General.
Section title: We must take action: a way forward
Highlighted paragraph text: Our children and adolescents don't have the luxury of waiting years until we know the full extent of social media's impact. Their childhoods and development are happening now. While social media use can have positive impacts for some children, the evidence noted throughout this Surgeon General's Advisory necessitates significant concern with the way it is currently designed, deployed, and utilized. Child and adolescent use of platforms designed for adults places them at high risk of "unsupervised, developmentally inappropriate, and potentially harmful" use according to the National Scientific Council on Adolescence.87 At a moment when we are experiencing a national youth mental health crisis, now is the time to act swiftly and decisively to protect children and adolescents from risk of harm.

Page 14 of same report
Highlighted text: To better safeguard the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents, policymakers, technology companies, researchers, families, and young people must all engage in a proactive and multifaceted approach.
Through the recommendations below, we can provide more resources and tools to children and families, we can gain a better understanding of the full impact of social media, and we can maximize the benefits and minimize the harms of social media platforms to create safer, healthier online environments for children.

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Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · 20d

Hi 🧠. Apologies to Leigh who is deff not silly.
Problem IS NOT ineffective parenting. There's o/whelming power asymmetry btw parents/kids & SM platforms.
Report by US Surgeon General recommends actions/engagement by policymakers, tech cos, researchers, parents AND teens.
www.hhs.gov/sites/defaul...

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Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · 20d

I absolutely agree the process was not good governance.
But I don't regard it a stunt and I really want this to work. Im witness to the harm it is causing in our young people.
I don't want that for your kids.
There are roles for kids, for parents, for schools & for governments to change course

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Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · 20d

I wish you and your family every success and good health!
Having come out the other side (miss 19 & 17) having been deeply deeply invested in educating myself and kids + open communication as well as parental controls (Qustodio plus app controls etc) I ask you to give this delay your support.

Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · 20d

This nexus of severe harm & vulnerable population pushes into the realm of government to protect the public.
If you choose to spare the time, SA Premier Peter Malinauskas makes the case for government intervention at 07:15 - 23:00 in this video (the rest also worth a watch)
vimeo.com/1084496520/8...

Saint Ignatius' College - Tech Smart Event - Full Video

This is "Saint Ignatius' College - Tech Smart Event - Full Video" by Saint Ignatius' College Adelaide on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos…

vimeo.com

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Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · 20d

With respect, Leigh, I think it is silly thinking you & your child's will power are more powerful than Tiktok & Meta's multi-billion dollar effort to addict developing brains.
And it is silly to expect that every parent needs to be sufficiently tech savvy to protect their kids from these harms.

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Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · 20d

This video is silly but shows the challenge of "good involved parent teaching their kids to be responsible"
All examples shown are *actively seeking* to harm our kids. Some investing unfathomable $$ & expertise in the process.
Many adults are unable to meet this challenge.
youtu.be/h_xwJ5u9I8o?...

Smartphone Free Childhood US - "Let's Change The Norm"

YouTube video by Smartphone Free Childhood US

youtu.be

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Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · 20d

Hi Leigh. Reading between the lines I'm guessing your kids are young.
What age do you plan to introduce your kids on social media? Why did you choose that age?
What additional controls/protections/oversight (beyond teaching/showing) do you plan to use to protect them from online harms?

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Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · 28d

Speaking of incorrect spelling, I'd like to report a crime by The Australian via their Instagram account.
www.instagram.com/p/DPpC8AEjfz...

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Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · Oct 10

Hi Peter. Did you read the whole article? All the concerns encapsulated in your comments are addressed. Happy to discuss.

Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · Oct 10

I don't think you guys understand this legislation - what it hopes to do and not do and how it relates to other existing laws.

Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · Oct 2

Charlie Warzel's latest in The Atlantic really highlights the disregard YouTube and co have toward taking responsibility for the impacts of their platforms in the context of no/low regulation. They have, and always have had, choices about prioritising safety on YT but they choose otherwise.

Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · Oct 2

Her Press Club address discussed other factors for no YT carve-out that are missing from article:
* design choices, features & functions are associated with SM harms. Algorithmic infinite scroll, auto-play, engagement prompts apply to YT
* platforms change & develop. Eg rise of YT Shorts ~SM-like

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Reposted by Graeme Smyth

Trond Hjorteland @trond.hjorteland.com · Aug 31

Highly recommend spending half an hour on this talk by @chrissimon.au on the bulshit that LLMs produce. Yup.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bF_... #AI #LLM #ChatGPT

Programmable 2025: AI is a Hype-Fuelled Dumpster Fire - Chris Simon

YouTube video by Banks Productions

www.youtube.com

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Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · Sep 12

Hi Cam. The piece says the industry "supported the idea of more stringent age check measures for the online adult industry."
Why aren't they doing it already? Government wouldn't be trying to make laws to prevent harm to young people if the industry didn't design their systems to profit from harm.

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Graeme Smyth @gjsmyth.bsky.social · Sep 11

Positive changes:
- gun reform & buy back after Port Arthur
- Aust role in Timor Leste peacekeeping force
Negative changes:
- 'othering' of asylum seekers via Tampa
- following USA to Iraq
- NT intervention & net negative influence on indigenous reconciliation

Reposted by Graeme Smyth

Dr. Lucky Tran @luckytran.com · Sep 4

The “problem” with vaccines? They so effective at preventing deaths that they create generations of people that question whether disease was a problem in the first place because they have never experienced the horrors of a world without vaccines.

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