Parra News May 28 2024

Guest Columnist
Chris Minns, NSW Premier
@ChrisMinnsMP
We need kids to have happy lives
outside of their phone screens
As parents in the modern
world, we are all grappling
with the enormous role that
social media plays in the life of our
children.
Where previous generations were
out riding their bikes, moving
through nature, building their
friendships in person, young people
today are learning about life via
various screens, on websites that
have little interest in their healthy
development.
To be frank, I’m concerned about
the harm this is having on our kids.
Many of these sites are deliberately
addictive, designed to hook impressionable
minds in an endless loop
of scrolling. They’re built with one
goal in mind: to keep people online
for as long as possible, whether it
makes them happy or not.
Even worse, social media sites are
designed to intensify the feelings of
insecurity and self-doubt that come
twice as likely to experience poor
mental health, including symptoms
of depression and anxiety.
We have to ask whether this is a
healthy way for kids to be growing
up and maturing into adults.
With that question in mind, the
NSW Government will be hosting
a social media summit this year, to
address the impact that only platforms
are having on children and
young people.
It will examine the latest evidence
and develop a response to growing
community concern about the
mental health impacts of social
media, especially for young kids.
This is something that families are
already dealing with, within their
own homes. It’s perfectly reasonable
to feel uncomfortable with level
of exposure children have to these
platforms.
My hope is that this summit will
offer a practical way forward, so
young people can still enjoy the
benefits of technology, while living
developing minds towards extreme
Scheduled for October, the
views.
summit will bring together young
In fact, research has found that
people, research experts and policy
kids who spent more than three
makers, as well as representatives full and happy lives outside their
The Chamber hours per day on social media are represents predominantly
from leading social media sites. screens.
INQUIRIES CONTINUE AFTER MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER IN AUBURN LAST WEEK
A man has faced court charged with murder
following the suspicious death of another
man in Auburn on Wednesday, May 22.
Shortly after 7.30pm, emergency services
were called to a unit complex in Richmond
Avenue, Auburn, following reports of a
domestic related incident.
Officers from Auburn Police Area Command
The Merrylands
“They open
Chamber
up new
is the
forms of bullying,
main
to all young
Chamber
people. They open where operating cruelty is across the
up new forms of bullying, where
its worst because
cruelty is worse because it’s anonymous.
And their algorithms Cumberland push it’s anonymous” LGA.
small and medium sized businesses in the
LGA but also several large businesses.
attended South Parade and spoke to a 32-yearold
man before he was arrested.
Police along with NSW Ambulance paramedics
attended Richmond Avenue, where a
man was found suffering head injuries.
The man – believed to be aged in his 50s –
was treated; however, he died at the scene. He
is yet to be formally identified.
A crime scene was established, which has
been forensically examined. Detectives with
the assistance of the State Crime Command’s
Homicide Squad then commenced an investigation
under Strike Force Youngee.
The younger man was taken to Auburn
Police Station and charged with murder.
It will be alleged that the two men are known
to each other.
He was refused bail to appear at Burwood
Local Court on Thursday, May 23.
Inquiries under Strike Force Youngee
continue, and a post-mortem will be
conducted to determine the cause of death.
Anyone with information about this incident
is urged to contact 1800 333 000.
The Greater Cumberland Chamber of Commerce is the main
Chamber operating across the Cumberland LGA.
The Chamber represents predominantly small and medium-sized
businesses in the LGA but also several large businesses.
If you have any queries or want to become a member
If you have any questions or want to become a member
Please Please call: 0428 204 204 739 739
or Email: or immanuel@tutoringwiz.com.au
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