Australia’s Ban Social Media for Teenagers
Context:
The Australian government has announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at preventing children and adolescents under 16 from accessing social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
More on News:
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the proposed measures as “world-leading” and stated that the legislation, expected to be presented to Parliament this year, would require platforms to take “reasonable steps” to restrict underage users.
- The law would not penalise users for violations but focus on the platforms themselves.
What the Proposed Law Entails:
The legislation aims to limit social media access for those under 16. The state’s draft Children (Social Media Safety) Bill 2024 proposes the following:
- Access Restrictions: Platforms must block access for children under 14 and allow access for 14- and 15-year-olds only with parental consent.
- Regulated Platforms: The law applies to services designed primarily for user interaction and content sharing.
- Fines for Non-Compliance: Social media companies could face fines for failing to enforce restrictions.
- These fines would fund initiatives like implementing the law, compensating children harmed by social media, and other safety measures.
Regulations in India
Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023: The DPDP Act mandates verifiable parental consent for processing the data of children under 18 years old.
Information Technology Act, 2000: This Act includes provisions specifically addressing online offences against children. It criminalises the publication and transmission of child pornography and other obscene content involving minors.
Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) Guidelines: The ASCI has set standards to ensure that advertisements targeting children do not mislead or promote harmful behaviours.
Gaming Intermediaries Regulations, 2023: These regulations require age classification for digital content and mandate that platforms implement reliable age verification mechanisms.
Challenges of Age Verification:
- A major hurdle in enforcing such laws is verifying users’ ages. Current systems rely on self-reported dates of birth, which are easily falsified. Proposed methods to verify age include:
- Government-issued ID or credit card verification.
- Facial age estimation technology.
- Real-time photograph matching with government-issued ID.
- Additional checks when users attempt to change their birthdate.
- However, privacy concerns arise with these measures, particularly regarding the handling of minors’ data by corporations.
The Impact of Social Media on Adolescents:
- Concerns: Problematic use, such as neglecting other activities or experiencing withdrawal symptoms, has increased globally—from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022, according to a World Health Organisation study.
- This issue is more pronounced among girls (13%) than boys (9%).
- Negative outcomes include lower mental well-being, substance abuse, sleep disruptions, and anxiety related to online validation, trolling, or fear of missing out.
- Benefits: Social media provides platforms for addressing stigmatised topics such as mental health, gender identity, and sexuality.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, it played a crucial role in keeping people connected while physically isolated.
Proposed Solutions:
Experts advocate for a balanced approach that promotes responsible use of social media.
- Parents and Guardians: Encourage discussions with children about online behaviour, set tech-free zones, and model responsible usage. Providing a phone to a child should be accompanied by guidance on safe and respectful use.
- Policymakers: Develop age-appropriate health and safety standards, strengthen data privacy protections, and integrate digital literacy into school curriculums.
- Social Media Companies: Ensure transparency, implement risk assessments, prevent misuse, enforce age restrictions, and set default safety and privacy settings for children.
- Last year, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recommended creating family media plans, fostering in-person friendships, and reporting cyberbullying.
- Australia’s proposed legislation reflects growing concerns about the impact of social media on youth. While some see these measures as necessary to protect minors, others question their feasibility and effectiveness. Balancing safety, privacy, and the benefits of connectivity will remain a critical challenge as this law is debated and implemented.
