QLD declares public health alert over wellbeing of teens

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Queensland's top doctor has declared a public health alert over the deteriorating mental state of young people. He's pointing the finger at social media.

Transcript

00:00It's a question confronting many families. When should children start using social media?

00:08I'm a very old-fashioned person. I think 18 or 16 is the safest age.

00:15I don't know if you could ever come up with just one number.

00:17It just follows them everywhere, every moment of the day and night.

00:20On most indicators, the health of Queenslanders is improving. But there's deep concern about

00:26one measure.

00:27It is the mental health of teenagers, particularly girls.

00:32The rate of girls aged 10 to 14 being hospitalised for self-harm has tripled since 2008.

00:40The mental health of boys has also declined. Queensland's top doctor says it coincides

00:46with the rise of social media.

00:48Number of jurisdictions around the world have started to implement measures attempting to

00:53protect children from social media.

00:55He doesn't have a position on legislation, but has outlined new guidelines for families,

01:01such as limiting access to social media for children aged under 14, including preventing

01:08them from creating accounts, closely monitoring teens when social media is introduced, discussing

01:14content with them, limiting the duration of their use, and promoting positive behaviour

01:20by everyone at home, particularly removing devices from bedrooms overnight.

01:26The major social media platforms currently require children to be 13 before they can

01:31register, but it's not policed. South Australia is investigating a social media ban for children

01:38aged under 14, a sentiment echoed here in Queensland.

01:42I've been supporting this call for social media to be age-restricted to those under

01:4814 and to require parental approval for access between 14 and 16.

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