Only internet access permitted starting from age 16. - Australia establishes mandatory minimum age for social media engagement
The Australian administration plans to restrict children and young individuals' access to social media platforms from a specific age in the future. This age restriction might fall between 14 and 16 years, as announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, without specifying an exact number.
In line with this, legislation is to be presented to parliament this year. The Prime Minister expressed concern over the negative impact of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and others on youngsters, as reported in the media.
Experts have expressed reservations.
The technical aspects of implementing this restriction remain unclear. The Australian government is currently exploring various options to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent online.
"I want young people to enjoy their childhood," Albanese, aged 61, stated. "We know that social media is causing harm and keeping young people away from genuine friendships and experiences," he added. "Parents want their children to engage in outdoor activities, such as sports, instead of being glued to their phones – and I agree."
The opposition also supports this move, proposing a 16-year age limit. "Children deserve the opportunity to grow up without being exposed to the potentially detrimental environment of social media," said David Coleman, the Liberal Party's communications spokesperson.
However, objections arise from psychologists.
Critics, such as Carly Dobson, the chair of the Australian Psychological Society, argue that this ban doesn't address the root issue. "It's a simple solution to a complex and deeply ingrained problem," she told the AAP news agency. "There will still be hate speech and discriminatory content online, and children will continue to be targeted by marketing campaigns."
It's also important to consider that social media can provide positive experiences for marginalized groups, like LGBTQI youth, young refugees, and the disabled. "They find a sense of belonging online if they don't experience acceptance at school or in their communities," Dobson pointed out.
Data protection concerns also arise.
Experts have raised concerns regarding data privacy following the initial proposals for age restriction. If parents are now required to provide their children's ages to give their consent, there could be data protection issues, warned Daniel Angus, a digital communication professor at Queensland University of Technology, in an interview with the ABC station. Additionally, social media platforms might find ways to bypass the ban.
Similarly, Belinda Barnett, a lecturer at Swinburne University, expressed her support for an age restriction while raising concerns over privacy issues. "As a parent and a researcher in social media, I believe that restricting social media access for young people is a good idea. However, it's nearly impossible to implement such a restriction without collecting personal data that we may not wish to disclose to social media platforms," she stated.
Nevertheless, Albanese maintains that the safety and well-being of young people should remain the top priority. "Enough is enough," he stressed. "Social media platforms and digital platforms must fulfill their social responsibilities."
A similar initiative is under consideration in South Australia, where access to social networks will only be granted to individuals aged 14 and above. For those aged 14 and 15, parental consent will still be mandatory.
Comparing social networks to harmful substances
If social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pose risks to young people, they should take measures to restrict access, suggested Peter Malinauskas, the Premier of South Australia, in the media. Just like with cigarettes and alcohol, governments should intervene to protect children from harmful products.
The Australian Psychological Society's chair, Carly Dobson, contends that the age restriction might not address the core problems, as there will still be issues like hate speech and marketing campaigns targeting young individuals on other platforms ['Other']. The proposed restriction to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent online raises concerns about potential data protection issues ['Data protection concerns'], as highlighted by digital communication professor Daniel Angus.
