Should Australia Limit Social Media For Minors?

Australia is planning to introduce a minimum age requirement for children using social media, citing concerns over the impact on their mental and physical health. However, digital rights advocates have criticized the move, warning it could push harmful online activity into less regulated spaces, as reported by Reuters on Tuesday.

The South Australian Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) has recently released a report proposing significant changes to how children in the state access social media.

The DPC report highlights several reasons for regulating children’s access to social media, primarily focusing on the risks to their well-being and safety. It emphasizes concerns like cyberbullying, which can lead to emotional distress and mental health issues.

Children are also at risk of exposure to inappropriate content such as violence and hate speech, which could harm their development, as stated in the report.

Additionally, the report addresses the addictive nature of social media, noting its impact on sleep, schoolwork, and social interactions, as well as the privacy risks children face when sharing personal information online.

The concerns raised in Australia resonate with recent guidelines from Sweden’s public health authority, which recommend strict limits on screen time for young children to mitigate negative health effects.

The DPC proposes a two-tiered system to restrict social media access based on age: prohibiting access for children under 14 without parental consent and requiring consent for 14-16-year-olds, with no further restrictions once consent is granted.

The report highlights several challenges in enforcing proposed social media restrictions. Verifying ages online is complex, requiring collaboration with platforms for effective processes. Specific enforcement methods are not detailed but may involve a new regulatory body working with social media companies and internet providers.

The report also underscores the need for public consultation to address concerns about freedom of speech and information access. Feedback from parents, educators, and the broader community will be crucial in shaping the final implementation of the restrictions.

According to Reuters, Daniel Angus, director of the Queensland University of Technology Digital Media Research Centre, criticized the proposed restrictions, saying they could “create serious harm by excluding young people from meaningful, healthy participation in the digital world, potentially driving them to lower quality online spaces.”

The Washington Post reported that Lisa Given, a professor of information sciences at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, stated, “There are lots of reasons why children need to access information on their own, especially those in regional or remote areas. They may not have easy access to a nearby library and could be home-schooled.”

This debate reflects broader global concerns about balancing digital safety with access to information.