澳大利亚原住民领袖在政府调查听证会上警告，社交媒体上针对原住民的种族歧视正在损害年轻一代的心理健康。[1]澳大利亚皇家全科医学院在凯恩斯的听证会上将种族歧视定性为"公共卫生紧急状况"。[1]与会者呼吁社交媒体用户、发布者和Meta等平台公司承担更大责任，增加问责制和监管力度。[1]
原住民代表在现场分享了种族歧视的严重影响。Merissa Nona表示："我们看到真正坚强的社区成员从四面八方受到打击，然后因为外部压力而结束生命。"[1]Stacee Ketchell指出，Meta在提交给调查的声明中称不知道是否有任何原住民担任内容审核员，她对此回应称Meta处理种族歧视的方法还不够充分。[1]Ketchell进一步强调："种族歧视是持续的。它导致年轻人怀疑自己和自己的价值。"[1]
调查随后将前往托雷斯海峡，然后在下月访问霍巴特和墨尔本。[1]
Indigenous leaders have warned a federal government inquiry that racism on social media is damaging the mental health of young people in their communities, characterizing it as a "public health emergency."[1] The Australian Royal College of General Practitioners made this designation during hearings in Cairns as part of an investigation into racism, hate, and violence targeting Indigenous Australians.[1]
Testimony at the inquiry revealed the severe psychological toll of online racism. Merissa Nona stated: "We see really strong community members being attacked from all angles, and then taking their own lives because of external pressures."[1] Stacee Ketchell emphasized the persistent nature of the problem, noting that "racism is ongoing. It causes young people to doubt themselves and their own worth."[1] When addressing Meta's submission to the inquiry, Ketchell expressed concern that the company claimed uncertainty about whether any Indigenous people worked as content moderators, and she asserted that Meta's approach to handling racism remains insufficient.[1]
The investigation will continue to the Torres Strait before visiting Hobart and Melbourne next month.[1] The hearings are being conducted by the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs.[1]