The review initiated by Clare back in February was designed to assess the effectiveness of current measures in place to prevent and address bullying. This comprehensive inquiry drew significant attention, garnering 1,700 submissions, with the majority coming from concerned parents.

According to the findings, a staggering one in four students in grades four through nine report experiencing bullying at a frequency of every few weeks or even more often. This statistic underscores the urgent need for effective interventions.

The potential role of artificial intelligence in exacerbating bullying is a particularly alarming aspect highlighted by the review. “I can’t imagine anything more frightening than AI encouraging children to harm themselves. We’ve already heard tragic stories from overseas of such incidents occurring. This is the formidable challenge we face,” one expert expressed.

The global reach of digital platforms means that an app developed far away can have dire consequences for children here in Australia. Therefore, it’s imperative that we address these issues with the seriousness they deserve.

In response to these concerns, changes are set to be implemented across several countries, including the United States, England, Canada, and Australia, marking a significant step towards protecting young people from the dangers of bullying and harmful online influences.

The changes will be rolled out to the United States, England, Canada and Australia.

‘Can you think of anything more hurtful?’

“The changes we’re making to social media will help, getting kids off TikTok and Snapchat will help, but it’s not the only place where kids are bullied day and night,” he said.

In early September, the federal government announced plans to restrict access to deepfake tools and specifically nudify apps.