After months of anticipation and debate over the government’s controversial decision, under-16s found themselves excluded from popular platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, according to media reports.
The ban aims to protect young people from online abuse such as cyberbullying, exploitation and exposure to harmful content, all of which harm their mental health and wellbeing.
Bans could backfire on you
As other governments consider similar measures, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warns that age restrictions alone will not keep children safe.
“While UNICEF welcomes the growing commitment to child safety online, Social media bans carry their own risks, and they can even backfire on you“, the agency said in a declaration.
For many children, especially those who are isolated or marginalized, social media is a lifeline for learning, connection, play and self-expression, UNICEF said.
Additionally, many will continue to access social media – for example through workarounds, shared devices or using less regulated platforms – which will only make it more difficult to protect them.
Protection and respect for human rights
“Age restrictions must be part of a broader approach that protects children from harm, respects their rights to privacy and participation, and avoids pushing them into unregulated and less safe spaces,” the statement said.
“Regulation should not be a substitute for platforms investing in child safety. Laws introducing age restrictions are not an alternative to companies improving platform design and content moderation.”
THE UN human rights chief also weighed in during his end-of-year speech press conference in Geneva.
“We know how difficult it is for companies to tackle the question of how to keep children safe online,” Volker Türk said in response to a journalist’s question.
“Social media platforms were launched a few years ago, but I don’t think at the time of their launch, an assessment of their impact on human rights was actually carried out. »
Make the Internet Secure
UNICEF urges governments, regulators and technology companies to work with children and families to create a digital space that is safe, inclusive and respectful of children’s rights.
Authorities must ensure that age-related laws and regulations do not replace companies’ obligation to invest in designing safer platforms. and effective content moderation.
Additionally, social media products need to be redesigned, putting the safety and wellbeing of children at the centre, while regulators need to put in place systemic measures to effectively prevent and mitigate online harm.
Parent support
Other recommendations include helping parents and guardians improve their digital literacy.
“They have a crucial role, but they are currently being asked to do the impossible to protect their children online: monitoring platforms they did not design, controlling algorithms they cannot see, and managing dozens of apps around the clock,” UNICEF said.
The UN human rights chief noted that countries were trying to keep pace with technological developments and Australia was not alone in responding. The US state of California has a similar law to protect minors online, while the European Union is debating a bill.
“It is very important to continue to monitor what is workingwhich doesn’t work,” Mr. Türk said.
“But it is also very clear from a human rights perspective that the best interests of the child must be considered in all of this, including the protection and safety concerns that children face. »
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
