Australia's "Social Media Ban"

The upcoming Social Media Ban is looming on a tangible time horizon and its impact on society will quickly go from predictions to reality.

Yesterday I spent most of the day on the road. We all love our University of Wheels in 2025, don’t we? Podcasts, phone calls and thoughts. 

I listened to a few clips talking about the upcoming “Social Media Ban”, the policy specifically trying to prevent Australia’s Under 16’s from accessing social media like Facebook, Instagram & even YouTube. 

(Because the Government knows best, yes?)

But it won’t stop there. Is this a conspiratorial comment? It’s logical. 

To IDENTIFY that you are under 16 you have to IDENTIFY yourself. Why does this matter?

“Jake, your whole life is on the internet?”. Yes, being public is a decision that we have made.

It’s one thing when being identified online is your choice, another when it’s the Governments.

PS: I wonder if this little Blog will get me on the E-Karens list of naughty boys? I wonder if I’m already there because I saw stuff like cows aren’t bad for the environment and money printing is stupid. (Click HERE if you don’t know what I’m referring to)

What does this have to do with farming?

Wolki Farm is a business. To compete in today's marketplace we have to use whatever edge we have, and a big one is our ability to communicate directly with our community and build relationships. We don’t have a big marketing budget, sophisticated supply chains and margin to throw at fancy branding. 

(Our Logo was designed by me writing “WOLKI FARM” on some paper. Then, I underlined it for effect. Then I overlined it for MORE effect. I feel it’s very “Wolki”!)

So once again, I am thinking of potential ramifications that Government policy will once again have on my business and my families ability to eat & heat.

There's no doubt that our Wolki Farm community is unique, filled with “innovators” and “early adopter” consumers in the food movement. 

Will people simply log off-line when the “Social Media Ban” deadline rolls around? 

Let’s be honest, most won’t. But some will. I’m willing to bet that due to the nature of our following, we will have more than your average % of followers fall away.

Being genetically hardwired to default to optimism and enthusiasm settings, I’m trying to think forward and see the fallout, so that we can predict and pivot.

The point of this blog isn’t to explore the obvious continuous overreach of our Government in our lives, but to open a discussion about how this may affect communication, especially social media for small businesses. 

Is the Government currently creating the conditions for email lists, private forums and blogs to dominate, with interaction, communication and anonymity more secure on those forums?

Are YOU staying online when you have to upload your ID and provide facial recognition to log on?

Comments

• Hi Jake, I personally have avoided the facial recognition for the reasons of the Governmental control and theft of Identity. This push through Social media I feel is definitely going to hasten both areas of my concern. End result Total Governmental control. However we are also very concerned as to the impacts to our online media access for the business.

• Hi Jake, I have already made the switch. Smart phone stays in the glove box, awaiting hotspot. Dumb phone goes in the pocket. Not sure if there’s other people like me out there, but I’m sure you could contact me via sms. P.s. Maybe I’ll try to use a VPN if I ever would like some instant gratification or want to buy something I dont need, lol

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