A new national study will examine the effects of Australia’s controversial social media ban on families, beginning next week. Led by Professor Kathryn Modecki, who heads the developmental science of mental health team at The Kids Research Institute Australia and is a professor of psychological science at the University of Western Australia, the research aims to shed light on the parenting dynamics of children aged nine to 15 during this significant policy change.
The study will randomly select parents across Australia and invite them to participate in a brief online survey. Invitations will be sent via text message starting next week, prior to the ban’s implementation on December 10, 2023. Participants will be asked to complete a follow-up survey approximately six months later to assess how the ban affects family life and interactions.
“We’re really focused on what is happening in the family environment, family conflict, how parents are experiencing the ban, how children are experiencing the ban,” Professor Modecki explained. This comprehensive approach will allow researchers to track the impacts across diverse family situations throughout the duration of the ban.
The project has garnered international attention, prompting partnerships with esteemed organizations such as NORC at the University of Chicago and Edith Cowan University. Professor Modecki emphasized the importance of utilizing best-practice methods to engage individuals from various backgrounds, including those in rural and remote communities. “We need the very best data to inform these massive policy decisions that are happening at scale,” she noted.
With over 15 years of experience in this field, Professor Modecki highlighted the critical need for improved digital literacy among parents. She believes enhancing communication within families is essential for keeping young people safe online, a sentiment echoed by Kate and Tick Everett, founders of the non-profit organization Dolly’s Dream. The couple established the organization to combat bullying following the tragic loss of their daughter, Dolly, in 2018.
“We don’t want any other parents to go through what we’ve gone through,” Mr. Everett stated. In 2023, Dolly’s Dream and The Kids Research Institute Australia collaborated to develop the Beacon app, which provides parents with evidence-based resources on digital literacy and online safety. As the social media ban approaches, the Everetts hope this tool will support parents in navigating the challenges posed by the ban.
“We think it (the social media ban) is definitely a step in the right direction to protect our kids from the harms that can be online,” Mr. Everett commented. He emphasized the app’s role in equipping parents with the necessary tools to facilitate discussions about online safety with their children.
Ms. Everett added that the Beacon app empowers parents to initiate conversations about data privacy and online safety at their convenience. “Our advice to parents would be, don’t think that you’re in this alone,” she said, highlighting the availability of resources and a 24-hour helpline for those in rural and regional areas.
The couple expressed that their efforts to help parents navigate digital literacy and safety have provided a sense of meaning following their loss. “That in itself is a huge part of the healing journey,” Ms. Everett stated.
In their message to other parents, the Everetts encouraged open communication with children. “Get that trust with your children. We all make mistakes, whether we’re six years old, or 16 or 60 years old, but just be their friend so that they’re comfortable to come to you,” Mr. Everett emphasized. He reiterated the importance of trust and communication in fostering a supportive environment.
For more information about the study and its findings, parents and caregivers can visit the Modern Life Study: Digital Parenting and Beacon websites. Those randomly selected for the study will receive a text from 0480 026 313. For immediate support, resources are available through Lifeline at 13 11 14, Beyond Blue at 1300 224 636, and Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800.
