Parents of regional school students, including across the Eyre Peninsula, have raised concerns about the use of the music video app Tik Tok.
“Worried parents have sent scores of video clips to me featuring sexist and racist song lyrics, sexual behaviours and dangerous activities like jumping into bushes and large rubbish bins,” Shadow Minister Jayne Stinson said.
Children as young as twelve, from public and private schools across the state, are featured in the publicly accessible videos.
The students are in their school uniforms and on school grounds. The images were captured and uploaded in school hours.
“In competing for likes and shares, students are engaging in more and more extreme language and activities to gain attention. Parents tell me they’re worried about the safety of children as they vy for social media status,” Ms Stinson said.
“Parents want to know that when they drop their kids at the school gate, they’re focused on getting a good education, not performing vulgar moves and singing offensive songs,” the Shadow Minister said.
“While there are valid uses for Tik Tok, including effective environmental campaigning by young people, the videos drawn to my attention are less useful.”
Concerns have also been raised about students and staff being filmed without their permission, which is especially problematic for children in care.
“Labor has announced we will ban mobile phones in schools if elected. We’ll first run a trial to ensure legitimate uses are exempt and good processes are established to properly implement the ban,” Ms Stinson said.
The Shadow Minister has written to the schools subject to complaints from parents.