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Minimum Age for Social Media Use
Context:
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has proposed setting a minimum age for social media use.
More on News:
- Pandemic Driven: However, following the pandemic and the significant increase in children’s online activity, coupled with growing awareness of the potential harm some children face on social media, the conversation has intensified.
- Pressure from Parents: The push for a ban has largely been driven by parent groups, with increasing pressure on the government to hold tech platforms accountable for ensuring children’s safety online.
- Political Aspect: There’s also a political angle: with a federal election approaching in 2025, the government is keen to maintain favourable relations with the Murdoch media empire, especially since Meta has announced it will no longer pay news outlets for distributing their content.
Pros of Minimum Age Restrictions:
- Protection from Harmful Content: Setting a minimum age helps shield children from exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and online predators.
- The “Bois Locker Room” controversy refers to a significant incident involving an Instagram group chat created by teenage boys from prominent schools in Delhi, India. The group was reported for sharing obscene images and comments about girls, including discussions of sexual assault and gang rape, which sparked widespread outrage on social media.
- Developmental Readiness: Research suggests that children under 13 lack the cognitive ability to make informed decisions about their online interactions.
- Privacy Protection: Laws like the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) are designed to protect children’s personal information.
- Hot or Not was a popular website that allowed users to rate the attractiveness of photos (especially of girls) submitted by others on a scale of 1 to 10.
- Encouraging Healthy Habits: Limiting social media use can promote healthier lifestyle choices, such as increased physical activity and better sleep patterns.
Cons of Minimum Age Restrictions:
- Digital Literacy Delays: Restricting access may hinder children’s ability to develop digital literacy skills essential for navigating an increasingly digital world.
- According to the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) data from 2021, only 40% of Indians knew how to copy or move files on a computer.
- Ineffective Enforcement: Age restrictions are often easily bypassed, as many children find ways to create accounts despite regulations.
- For example, South Korea’s Cinderella Law, which prohibited gaming between midnight and 6 a.m., led to identity theft as children sought access to gaming platforms.
- Social Isolation: In a society where social media is a primary means of communication among peers, restrictions may lead to feelings of exclusion or isolation among younger children who are unable to connect with their friends online.
- Potential for Misguided Parenting Decisions: Parents may struggle with enforcing age limits while wanting their children to fit in with peers.
Key Legislations in India:
- Information Technology Act, 2000: This act includes provisions against cyber crimes and the protection of children from online exploitation, including child pornography and cyberbullying.
- Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012: This law specifically addresses sexual offences against children and provides mechanisms for reporting and prosecuting such crimes.
- Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), 2023: This act emphasises children’s privacy by requiring parental consent for processing their data.
- It defines a child as anyone under 18 years old, which has raised concerns about its one-size-fits-all approach, potentially limiting access to information for older minors who may be capable of making informed decisions about their online activities.
- National Policy for Children, 2013: This policy outlines the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of children in various contexts, including their online interactions.
- National Cyber Security Policy, 2013: This policy aims to protect children from cyber threats and enhance their digital literacy.
- National Commission for Protection of Child Rights: In 2023, NCPCR issued guidelines for child and adolescent participation in the entertainment industry, requiring producers to seek permission from district magistrates before involving children in audiovisual content.
Way Forward:
- Role of Education: Striking a balance between ever growing digital education and keeping children away from the digital world.
- Children should also be taught online resilience as part of their core education. Just as we educate them about good and bad touch in the physical world, they need lessons on online safety and recogniszing danger.
- Role of Parents: Parenting is about role modelling, and the habits parents exhibit online deeply influence their children. One of the most impactful things parents can do is regulate their own use of digital platforms.
- In India, we haven’t had much discussion about ‘sharenting’ (parents sharing personal content about their children online). However, law enforcement agencies like the Assam Police have used social media to caution parents against it.
- Child Influencers: In France, laws protect child influencers’ earnings until they turn 16, ensuring that parents cannot access this income. India could benefit from similar regulations.
- Social Media Platforms: There’s a need to shift companies and governments from mere compliance to actively designing optimal digital spaces for children.
- Role of Government: The U.K.’s Age-Appropriate Design Code of 2020 has had a positive impact on platforms, prompting changes that provide better default settings for children and reduce risks.
- A recent study found that platforms like Meta, Google, TikTok, and Snapchat implemented 128 changes related to child safety and privacy. Unfortunately, India lacks such regulations.
