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.
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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.