Post by zenner on Jun 23, 2017 12:02:52 GMT
CYBER safety gurus are calling on the Government to follow in the footsteps of the UK and introduce a law allowing people to wipe their social media history when they become adults.
Companies including Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram will be required to permanently delete everything posted by an individual before the age of 18 if they request it under the law announced in yesterday’s Queen’s speech.
Ill-advised social media posts by young people and their peers are increasingly coming back to haunt them later in life.
Child psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg, who is part of the Government’s online safety working group, told news.com.au the law was a “brilliant idea” that “could save a lot of heartache” and even prevent serious mental health issues.
“One of the characteristics of children is their brains aren’t fully developed yet. They tend to do things without thinking about the consequences, post something on Snapchat and later regret it.
“There was a 15-year-old girl recently who took a full nude selfie and sent it to her boyfriend. He sent it to 20 mates, and it had her name on it. A cyber security expert told me that could end up on a porn site with her name on it. It could affect her getting a job, and her whole life.”
Mr Carr-Gregg said these sorts of experiences had led to “increased anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and even suicide.”
The UK law will apply to all adults, not just people who are children now, which could prove immensely valuable to over-18s currently battling to have certain data on them removed from the internet. It’s hoped it will “strengthen rights” and give users “more control over their personal data.”
Cyber safety adviser Susan McLean, who regularly gives presentations on the risks of social media, told news.com.au she thought it was “a really good idea” to have a law like this one.
Epson Customer Service
Companies including Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram will be required to permanently delete everything posted by an individual before the age of 18 if they request it under the law announced in yesterday’s Queen’s speech.
Ill-advised social media posts by young people and their peers are increasingly coming back to haunt them later in life.
Child psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg, who is part of the Government’s online safety working group, told news.com.au the law was a “brilliant idea” that “could save a lot of heartache” and even prevent serious mental health issues.
“One of the characteristics of children is their brains aren’t fully developed yet. They tend to do things without thinking about the consequences, post something on Snapchat and later regret it.
“There was a 15-year-old girl recently who took a full nude selfie and sent it to her boyfriend. He sent it to 20 mates, and it had her name on it. A cyber security expert told me that could end up on a porn site with her name on it. It could affect her getting a job, and her whole life.”
Mr Carr-Gregg said these sorts of experiences had led to “increased anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and even suicide.”
The UK law will apply to all adults, not just people who are children now, which could prove immensely valuable to over-18s currently battling to have certain data on them removed from the internet. It’s hoped it will “strengthen rights” and give users “more control over their personal data.”
Cyber safety adviser Susan McLean, who regularly gives presentations on the risks of social media, told news.com.au she thought it was “a really good idea” to have a law like this one.
Epson Customer Service