Teenagers Building Online Empires: A Generation Navigating the Digital Landscape
In the ever-evolving digital age, teenagers are no longer just passive consumers of online content; they are becoming creators, entrepreneurs, and even journalists. Leo Puglisi, a 17-year-old Australian, exemplifies this new generation of digital natives. At just 11, he launched 6 News, an online news channel that has grown from a passion project into a 24/7 streaming service, covering major events like bushfires and the pandemic, and even featuring interviews with two Australian prime ministers. His team comprises 10 teenagers, almost all still in high school, spread across Australia, collaboratively managing 6 News across various platforms including YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and their own website. This remarkable achievement highlights the potential of young people to harness the power of social media for creative expression and meaningful engagement.
The recent passing of the federal government’s social media ban for under-16s in Australia has sparked debate and concern, particularly among young content creators like Puglisi. This ban, aimed at mitigating the potential negative mental health impacts of social media on young people, introduces the term "age-restricted social media platforms" into the Online Safety Act, encompassing popular platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, X, and Reddit. However, critics argue that this legislation could stifle creativity, limit opportunities, and hinder the development of young people who are actively engaged in online communities and content creation.
Puglisi’s 6 News, built by teenagers as young as 13, demonstrates the organic growth of online communities and the opportunities they provide for young people to connect, collaborate, and pursue their passions. These teenagers, driven by their interest in journalism, media, and current affairs, have found a platform to express themselves and contribute to the media landscape. The ban, according to Puglisi, threatens to remove these opportunities and hinder the creative growth of young individuals like himself and his team. Fifteen-year-old Maggie Perry, a reporter for 6 News since she was 13, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the vast array of opportunities social media offers teenagers, opening doors to possibilities that don’t exist in the traditional world.
Perry values the ability to connect with an audience and share her ideas, finding joy in the process of content creation. She highlights the importance of online communities for individuals with niche interests, providing a space for connection and shared passion. The ban, she notes, would severely limit her ability to contribute to 6 News, effectively restricting her access to most platforms. Even more ironically, the MPs she follows on social media, by virtue of reporting on elections, have essentially voted to restrict her access to the very platforms that connect them.
Beyond journalism, the impact of the ban extends to other creative fields. Sixteen-year-old musician Will Haynes credits social media for connecting him with artists and listeners globally, expanding his reach, and helping him build his brand. He acknowledges the challenges of constant content creation and the pressure to build an audience, but maintains that social media has been instrumental in his development as a musician. The opportunity to open for Budjerah and perform at the Vivid festival in Sydney, he attributes largely to connections made through social media. While recognizing the potential downsides, Haynes believes a ban would have significantly hindered his growth as a young musician.
The driving force behind the ban is the growing concern surrounding the mental health effects of social media on young people, including issues related to body image, bullying, and exposure to harmful content. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, while acknowledging the positive aspects of social media, emphasized the need to address the potential harm it poses to young Australians. This concern is underscored by eSafety research highlighting the challenges parents face in navigating online safety for their children.
However, experts like Professor Amanda Third, co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University, caution against a ban driven by parental anxiety. She argues that social media is deeply integrated into the lives of young people, playing a vital role in their wellbeing, development, and participation in various aspects of society. Third emphasizes the need for a balanced approach, acknowledging the importance of equipping young people with the skills and support to navigate the digital world safely and effectively, rather than outright banning their access. She advocates for incremental introduction to social media with appropriate guidance, preparing them for a future where digital technologies are increasingly prevalent. This approach would allow young people to benefit from the positive aspects of social media while mitigating the potential risks.