Here, Dr Asma Adnane, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at Loughborough University, comments on the significance of this move, the domino effect it could have, and the shared effort that is required across society.
“Australia’s ban on social media for under 16s shows that policymakers are finally taking the ethical and legal risks of these platforms seriously. It sets an important precedent and will prompt parents everywhere to reconsider the dangers of social media.
“It’s not a complete solution though. Enforcement will be slow and imperfect; regulators themselves admit that compliance will take time, and many underage accounts will slip through the net.
“Platforms will be required to take ‘reasonable steps’ to verify age, but without a standard method, they will use a patchwork of approaches, such as selfie checks, ID documents, and behavioural data, none of which are foolproof. And here lies a paradox: if we already distrust these companies with children’s data, how do we trust them with even more sensitive information?
“The long-term impact of the law may be that companies are required to demonstrate and change their practices around children's data. Tech companies generate a staggering amount of profit from their users’ data, so they must be held accountable for protecting children in the online world, especially social media and messaging platforms, where bullying and harassment occur.
“Simply implementing a ban, doesn’t achieve true safety for children – service providers must commit to maintaining responsibility and ethical standards when dealing with children.
“Big tech companies already have the technology, especially AI-driven moderation and detection tools, to identify harmful content and safeguard young users without resorting to a full ban. Their failure to implement these measures reflects a concerning lack of priority given to children’s safety.
“Online safety is not just a matter for social media companies. It requires a shared effort at home, in schools, and across the wider community. Parents, educators, and policymakers must work together to create environments where children are supported and informed about online and digital risks.
“Ultimately, the greatest value of this law may lie in the awareness it raises. If it sparks a domino effect, pushing all online platforms to take children’s safety and data ethics seriously, then this ban will have achieved far more than its immediate goal.”
ENDS
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