Today Prime Minister Scott Morrison joined Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Federal Member for Banks, David Coleman, to discuss the impact of social media on youth mental health with students at Georges River College Penshurst Girls Campus.
Journalist Erin Molan also joined the discussion and drew on her personal experience of online bullying to highlight the need to address this issue.
Assistant Minister Coleman said that the Federal Government is taking world-leading action to force social media companies to act in the best interests of children.
“Over the last decade we’ve seen mental health issues become increasingly prevalent amongst young people. While the reasons for this are complex, there is no question that social media is part of the problem.”
The Government has recently released legislation for a new Online Privacy Code, and legislation to address anonymous online trolling. These initiatives address the mental health impacts that social media is having on young people.
“There is nothing more important than the mental health of our kids, and the Government is taking strong action in this area,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.
“Thank you to the students at Penshurst Girls who we met with today for sharing their insight on this important topic.”