As a concerned Australian and a part of the vibrant multicultural population, this issue is deeply personal to me. Most children in Northern Territory held in custody, over 90% of whom are First Nations children, still have baby teeth. These young individuals constitute only 3-4% of our national population, yet they bear an incredibly disproportionate rate of criminal responsibility. It is a shocking state of affairs in Australia where a child of only 10, specifically in the Northern Territory where most kids incarcerated are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, can be legally held criminally accountable. In stark contrast, the common consensus suggests that children should be 16 before being allowed to use social media.

This inconsistency can only fuel an ongoing cycle of institutional disadvantage for an overlooked minority. We need to raise the age of criminal responsibility, to align with international guidelines, and perhaps, consider lowering the age-appropriate for social media usage with due safeguards. This will provide a fairer system that nurtures its youth and ensures proper child development while safely introducing them to technology's advantages.

Please join this endeavor for a better Australian future for all our children, especially those who still have their baby teeth. Let's raise the age of responsibility and give them time to grow and thrive. Sign the petition now.