Getty ImagesThe Australian government is touting its planned prohibition as a “world-leading” initiative.
“I was really scared, to be honest,” 12-year-old James recounts, describing a troubling incident on Snapchat that made him question the safety of attending school. Following a disagreement with a friend, James added him to a group chat with two older teenagers before bedtime one night, only to be bombarded with a series of violent messages on his phone.
“One of them sounded like he was probably 17,” James shares with the BBC. “He sent me videos of him with a machete… he was waving it around. Then there were voice messages saying that they were going to catch me and stab me.” James, whose name has been changed for privacy, had initially joined Snapchat at the age of 10 at the suggestion of a classmate. However, after informing his parents about the cyberbullying incident, which was ultimately resolved by his school, James decided to delete his account.
His mother, Emma, also using a pseudonym, believes James’ experience highlights the necessity of the Australian government’s proposed ban on social media for children under 16. The legislation, introduced in the lower house of parliament by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, aims to safeguard kids from the negative impacts of social media.
The ban, which covers platforms like X, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, has garnered support from many parents. However, some experts question the feasibility and potential consequences of barring children from accessing social media. The proposed legislation lacks specifics and leaves it to the nation’s internet regulator, the eSafety Commissioner, to determine the implementation and enforcement of the rules. Penalties of up to A$50 million will be imposed on tech companies that fail to comply with the ban, with exemptions for platforms offering “low-risk services” suitable for children. Messaging services and gaming sites will not be affected by the ban, leading to concerns about defining social media platforms in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The ban has been criticized by a group representing tech companies in Australia as outdated, with fears that it could drive children towards unregulated online spaces. The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, acknowledges the challenges of enforcing the ban amidst rapid technological advancements and questions the assumed link between social media and declining mental health.
While some parents advocate for limiting children’s exposure to social media, others emphasize the need for education and critical thinking skills to navigate online platforms safely. The government plans to introduce digital literacy tools to support this effort, but concerns remain about the effectiveness and privacy implications of age-verification technology required for enforcing the ban.
Australia’s proposed social media ban for children under 16 faces scrutiny and skepticism, with experts highlighting the complexities and potential pitfalls of such a restrictive measure. The success of the ban will depend on effective implementation, technological solutions, and ongoing evaluation to ensure the protection and well-being of young users in the digital age.