Graeme Smyth
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gjsmyth.bsky.social
Graeme Smyth
@gjsmyth.bsky.social
230 followers 350 following 100 posts
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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.
Enjoyed the respectful chat and heading to bed.
I wish you and your family well.
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.
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)
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
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.
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.
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...
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...
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...
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
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.
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
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.
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
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?
Speaking of incorrect spelling, I'd like to report a crime by The Australian via their Instagram account.
www.instagram.com/p/DPpC8AEjfz...
Hi Peter. Did you read the whole article? All the concerns encapsulated in your comments are addressed. Happy to discuss.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.