On the Radar: Do Social Media Bans Work, Energy Drinks and Girls Growing Up

Australia’s Social Media Ban Not Working, Posing Risks for Teen Users

What? In December, Australia banned social media for kids under 16. But according to the Molly Rose Foundation, 61% of Australian teens still have access to one or more accounts.

So What? This isn’t surprising, since many experts speculated that teens would simply find a way around the ban. But that means that the 6 in 10 kids who still have social media are likely operating under adult accounts, so they have an even higher risk of encountering dangerous content and dangerous predators: The protections that social media companies put in place for teens obviously do not apply to adult accounts.

Now What? As other countries consider bans—including the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States—parents and lawmakers should consider the trade-off, perhaps finding better ways to implement bans or finding better ways of protecting teen users, so they truly won’t exacerbate the problems that bans are trying to address.

Caffeine Found in Typical Energy Drink Alleged to Have Caused Teen’s Death

What? The family of a Texas teenager is suing the makers of a popular energy drink after it was discovered that the teen died from “an enlarged heart due to stress and large amounts of caffeine,” according to NBC. The girl had no previously existing heart conditions or heart-related problems, and the medical examiner said she tested negative for any other drug in her system.

So What? According to an attorney representing the girl’s family, she consumed at least one energy drink (containing 200mg of caffeine) daily, sometimes more. Doctors say that children and teenagers under 18 should have less than 100mg of caffeine per day.

Now What? Parents should regulate how many (and how often) energy drinks their kids consume. Make sure they know that caffeine isn’t harmless. Many teens may learn about energy drinks on social media or through other social interactions at school, not realizing that too much caffeine can be detrimental to their health—or even, as in this tragic case, fatal.

Girl Scout Data Says Girls Are Scared About Growing Up

What? According to new data from Girls Scouts of the USA, “becoming a grown-up sounds scary to more than half (54%) of girls ages 5 to 13.”

So What? Bonnie Barczykowski, CEO of the Girl Scouts, says this data confirms what they already suspected—that the world is changing faster than ever and that girls coming of age in this time feel responsible for bearing the burden of that change while also still trying to be kids. Luckily, the survey also revealed that supportive role models can help mitigate some of the fear and anxiety girls are feeling and better prepare them for adulthood.

Now What? The Girl Scouts of the USA recommends normalizing uncertainty and building confidence in girls. The organization says teaching practical, real-world skills, such as financial literacy, can further equip adolescents for adulthood. Creating opportunities to try new things, emphasizing values and purpose over perfection is also helpful. And parents should also model healthy and balanced pathways to adulthood, providing examples of “how to manage responsibilities, pursue goals and main well-being in a modern world.”