The problem is that school curriculum is as well. I remember going to school in Texas and hearing the phrase "Northern War of Aggression" to describe the Civil War.
Censorship is never about cutting off information, it's only ever about cutting off information that the censors don't like. Given how openly hostile both AU and the US's governments are to progressive politics and worldviews, I am dubious that this isn't about controlling kids' access to a more open view of the world than their schools will give them.
The Australian government isn’t banning books. It’s banning access to harmful content for people under 16.
One morning I logged into Reddit and saw a video of Charlie Kirk get his head blown off. I didn’t want to see that, but for some reason it wasn’t taken down yet. I’m really glad my 12 year old daughter didn’t have to see that…
> It’s banning access to harmful content for people under 16.
Even the most comically overt authoritarians will use justifications like this to ban content.
> One morning I logged into Reddit and saw a video of Charlie Kirk get his head blown off.
Then I think you may have seen a fake video. No such thing happened to him. If we're discussing serious subjects such as censorship and deaths, avoiding hyperbole to falsely bolster an argument is probably best.
> I’m really glad my 12 year old daughter didn’t have to see that…
Why would you give your 12yo daughter unrestricted access to Reddit, as a parent? Why must the government stop her, for you?
Also, since that already happened, and government restrictions weren't in place, and she didn't see it, clearly you've just disproved the need for those restrictions to avoid that outcome; your daughter didn't see the harmful content, despite there being no government-mandated restriction.
I had the uncommon privilege of attending a year of high school in Japan, and rest assured there is no lack of propaganda in other countries' schools, even if often by omission of truths.
I am not Australian, but I suspect high school textbooks are likely less than entirely forthright about sensitive subjects like Residential Schools and their role in settler-colonialism.
In total? Sure. But 99% of that propaganda isn't targeted at, seen by, or relevant to, any given person. Can you name one propaganda campaign on social media that is targeted at Australian schoolkids?
The propaganda in schools is highly relevant, exactingly targeted, and (by merit of being literally taught to every schoolkid) always seen.
And if you don't think that the worldwide backlash against "social media propaganda hurting kids" despite social media being around for 30+ years is possibly more than an organic and earnest and uncoordinated concern, I think you may be more susceptible to propaganda than you think.
The problem is that school curriculum is as well. I remember going to school in Texas and hearing the phrase "Northern War of Aggression" to describe the Civil War.
Censorship is never about cutting off information, it's only ever about cutting off information that the censors don't like. Given how openly hostile both AU and the US's governments are to progressive politics and worldviews, I am dubious that this isn't about controlling kids' access to a more open view of the world than their schools will give them.