Body Image Campaign

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (14:58): Supplementary: how does the minister propose this campaign will target girls—I believe she said previously seven to 12 years of age—on social media when social media platforms typically ban children under 12 from accessing them?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:58): That is exactly the point I was making, Mr President. The project that I believe—and the honourable member did not give a lot of detail—the one I presume—

The Hon. T.A. Franks: It's your project.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: No, the one you are talking about in America. The one she is referring to is a project that is suitable for older children. As the honourable member pointed out and as I said in my answer, that is not appropriate, so we are trying to target a younger group. The sort of project that she referred to in relation to the American model is targeted at an older group. It is inappropriate for younger children to be accessing that type of social media.

We are looking at a younger group. We are looking at young people coming together, with some guidance and assistance, to search out those sorts of projects that are likely to resonate with them to communicate messages for that age-specific group about positive body image, relying not on concepts of beauty and being skinny and dieting and suchlike, but the beauty within, people's capabilities, their generosity of spirit, the value of friendships, and those sorts of things.

In terms of the specifics, in terms of what it might look like, it could be, for instance, a game, an app, that it is appropriate for very young children. The reason we are bringing young people together in workshops to think through and develop those sorts of ideas is to ensure that we have activities that will be relevant and will resonate for that particular group.