A few days ago, England joined the growing list of countries that have banned children under the age of 16 from using social media. So far, 12 countries have either introduced similar measures or are preparing to do so. Australia, the first country to implement such a ban in December, claims the early results have been very positive.
Those who argue that young people are unaware of the harmful effects of the internet and social media might be surprised by the views of young people in Boka Kotorska, specifically in Kotor, Montenegro, which PERSPEKTIVA visited a few weeks ago.
“The internet is dangerous because it contains all kinds of information. There is a lot of disinformation and harmful rhetoric, and when you’re young and inexperienced, it’s very easy to get drawn into certain groups online.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpJSLB2GfGE
“I think that’s exactly it, we’re all tired of the sick atrophy that we see in society and the unwillingness to react, while extremist groups come across like they’re the only ones actually doing something.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpJSLB2GfGE
“Because of everything that circulates online, I think many people are drawn toward more extreme rhetoric without really thinking about it, simply because it affects them emotionally.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpJSLB2GfGE
The discussion extends to artificial intelligence as well. Aleksandra points out that even when people are aware of the negative effects of digital technologies, they continue to use them.
“We don’t do anything. We don’t boycott ChatGPT, and we don’t boycott AI. We don’t boycott content that we know is poisoning our minds.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpJSLB2GfGE
“Too many people assume that it is always 100% accurate, when in fact it is not.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls0D8_H2Q3A
“We say that we are to some extent aware of the problems, and that we will boycot such content, but we remain disengaged.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpJSLB2GfGE
“I think we’ve missed a historic and civilizational opportunity to use these technologies in a meaningful way. We’ve started a conversation about AI and the era we’re living in, but instead of taking advantage of the possibilities in front of us, we may end up in a worse position than before.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpJSLB2GfGE
“The fact is that, collectively, we’re losing concentration, passion, the desire to improve ourselves, and the motivation to do anything that isn’t passive.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpJSLB2GfGE
“Artificial intelligence can be useful, but we should always verify where the information comes from and check it ourselves. We can’t simply assume that everything written on the internet is true.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls0D8_H2Q3A
Those who oppose social media bans argue that children will find ways around them anyway, that restrictions can also prevent the positive benefits of social networks, and that parental responsibility matters more than state intervention. In the end, the debate often comes down to a simple choice: either ban everything or leave it alone.
