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IN THE NEWS: ACCAN provides op-ed on social media ban in major newspaper, prepare to be scam-savvy this shopping season, and cutting-edge research shines light on online targeted ads
CEO MESSAGE: This week MPs and Senators are meeting in Canberra for the final sitting week of the year. As I write this on Thursday, some 30 bills are before the Senate – several key to the government’s agenda – and today is the final chance to pass legislation in 2024.
High on the list of government priorities is the Social Media Minimum Age Bill which has seen a great deal of public debate this week. It is a world-first attempt to restrict children from using social media, and has drawn global attention, including derision from X owner Elon Musk. It is likely to pass with the support of the Coalition later on Thursday.
I weighed in on the proposed ban in an opinion piece for the Herald Sun on Thursday morning. ACCAN supports the ban noting that measuring its impact will be challenging, but there are four key reasons why this step is essential. Centrally, the ban will reshape social norms which have taken choice and control away from parents, and led to worsening mental health outcomes among children. ACCAN is keen to ensure that the Bill is a first step in strengthening online safety protections.
We saw several bills of interest to communications consumers sent to committee for further consideration this week. The Scams Prevention Framework and NBN public ownership laws will be assessed by MPs and will be reported on in early 2025 – ACCAN will be active in these consultations. Cybersecurity legislation has now passes and progresses important reforms in the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (SOCI Act).
Black Friday and the Christmas online shopping period is upon us, and this means many consumers are on the lookout for a cheap deal. To raise awareness of scam risks and red flags, we have continued our collaboration with Google to promote our Guide to Spotting Scams. YouTube viewers may see an ‘unskippable’ advertisement from ACCAN before their chosen video beings – keep an eye out for it, and click on the video to learn more!
Finally, I encourage you to consider if someone in your network may be interested in applying to become ACCAN’s Policy Manager. The Policy Manager will be instrumental in delivering ACCAN’s in-depth submissions, positions and papers which make a real difference to Australian consumers. Visit the job page at NGO Recruitment, our recruitment partner, for more information.
Carol Bennett
Chief Executive Officer
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The government's proposed ban on social media for children under 16 will go before the Senate later today. As our CEO Carol Bennett wrote in the Herald Sun, this isn't a silver bullet. Yet there are four key reasons why we need this ban:
- It will shape healthier social norms
- protect minor's rights
- improve mental health outcomes, and
- is a necessary response to calls for action from parents and educators.
We argue that this bill should only be the beginning of online safety reforms. Strengthening the Online Safety Act to require social media platforms to adopt "safety by design" principles and implementing robust privacy protections against targeted marketing and data exploitation are crucial next steps for improving online safety for all Australians. [ACCAN]
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If the bill to ban Australian children under the age of 16 from social media passes through parliament, children will be restricted from using platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and SnapChat. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland MP have said that this law is a response to concerns from parents about screen time addiction, cyberbullying, and the effects of social media on the mental health of their children. We’ve put together a brief outline about the ban, who supports it, and how it might work. Read also our submission to the snap committee inquiry which delivered a report on the proposed law on Tuesday. [ACCAN]
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Scammers impersonate well-known brands, businesses and services to steal your personal or financial information. If you’re shopping online or expecting a parcel delivery during the holiday season, stay vigilant. The ACMA has released fresh information about how you can stay safe and take action against scams you notice during the Black Friday / Christmas shopping period. Through a partnership with Google, ACCAN’s Guide to Spotting Scams will be shown to YouTube audiences in pre-video ads. Make sure you and your loved ones are equipped to stay scam-safe when you’re searching for deals! [ACMA]
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ACCAN supports the work of the Australian Ad Observatory project – a research initiative which has pioneered a way to observe the targeting of social media advertising across populations of users. The lead organisers - ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making + Society [ADM+S] - have released a short film which explains how the world-first citizen-science research is conducted. We all see hundreds – if not thousands - of advertisements per day, and this project is helping to explain how they work and the impact they have on Australians. You can view the short film above. [ADM+S]
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ACCAN is looking for a strong consumer voice to lead our work on communications and public policy work. We are a national consumer body advocating for better communications and services. The role will suit candidates from consumer advocacy, communications or digital sector backgrounds, and is Sydney-based although interstate candidates may be considered Remuneration is in line with the industry and candidates knowledge and experience. See more through our recruitment partners, NGO Recruitment, linked above. [ACCAN, NGO Recruitment]
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ACCAN is proud to participate in the National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) through its Advisory Board, and congratulates the NASC on excellent results in it’s latest quarterly report – there has been a 41% decrease in losses reported to Scamwatch over the past year, and a 32% decrease in the number of people reporting a financial loss.
There is still much work to be done. The Scams Prevention Framework will make a further difference – and even more so if recommendations from ACCAN and the broader consumer sector are adopted in the legislation.
The communications regulator is also considering whether to make the SMS Sender ID Register mandatory or voluntary. Only a mandatory Register would ensure maximum compliance and effectiveness. [NASC]
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Communication is a lifeline during an emergency. Yet power outages, infrastructure damage, and network disruptions can impact the ability to stay connected. Preparation is key and knowing that efforts will be made to reinstate a level of connectivity as a priority is reassuring. Our friends at the Regional Tech Hub have released a series of vital resources which will help you stay connected during an emergency. Pre-planning is of the highest importance – read more at the Regional Tech Hub website linked above. [Regional Tech Hub]
Digital Equity and Education – report launch
New research from the Whitlam Institute, the Centre for Western Sydney and Wester’ly has found concerning levels of digital exclusion among certain groups, with 72% of students from lower socio-economic backgrounds and 81% of asylum seeker and refugee students being perceived to face digital inclusion challenges. The Digital Equity and Education report will be launched in Parramatta on 4 December, with journalist Jan Fran and Minister Jihad Dib among the speakers. ACCAN is an active participant in the Wester’ly group, and encourage any interested readers to consider attending the launch. [Whitlam Institute]
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WebNews #685
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Tel: (02) 9288 4000
Email: media@accan.org.au
If you are Deaf, or have a hearing impairment or speech impairment, you can contact us on 02 9288 4000 through your preferred National Relay Service call number or access point.
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