Should children be barred from social media?

The debate in Australia over whether children under 16 should be banned from using social media platforms has intensified, especially in the wake of the pandemic, which saw a significant rise in children’s online activity. This has raised serious concerns about their exposure to harmful content, such as inappropriate material at a very young age, cyberbullying, abuse, and threats. Moreover, with the Australian federal election approaching in 2025, the government is facing increasing pressure to hold tech platforms accountable and implement stronger online safety measures to protect young users.  

Various Dimensions Associated with a Blanket Ban on Social Media for Children

• Enforcement: Banning children from social media is easier said than done, particularly in the digital landscape where full enforcement is nearly impossible. Children have demonstrated remarkable ingenuity in finding ways to bypass restrictions. 
  • A notable example is South Korea’s “Cinderella Law,” which aimed to limit gaming between midnight and 6:00 a.m. However, children circumvented this law by using different or fake  identities to continue accessing gaming platforms.
• Low Digital Literacy among Parents: India faces its own challenges regarding the regulation of children’s access to social media. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 mandates verifiable parental consent for children’s online activities. However, enforcing this requirement is complicated by low digital literacy levels across the country. 
  • As of 2021, only 40% of Indians could perform basic digital tasks like copying or moving files. A survey revealed that in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, 80% of children assist their parents in navigating online platforms, highlighting the reliance of adults on their tech-savvy children.

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• Shared Devices: The prevalence of shared device usage complicates monitoring efforts. Many parents or other family members share their phones with children, making it increasingly difficult to track individual online activities and ensure safe internet use.
• The Role of the Education System: While there is a growing emphasis on digital literacy, it is equally important to teach online safety, just as students are educated about physical safety, such as recognizing good touch and bad touch. Students must learn how to protect themselves in the digital world and navigate online spaces safely. It would empower them to manage risks and make informed decisions online. 
  • However, presently children are encouraged to use the internet for studying, conducting research, and completing homework, making digital literacy an essential skill for future job development. Therefore, Instead of restricting access to digital devices, the focus should be on equipping students with the knowledge and tools to engage safely in the digital realm.
  • Currently, however, India’s education curriculum lacks comprehensive digital safety education. This gap needs to be addressed to ensure that children are not only proficient in using technology but also capable of protecting themselves in an increasingly complex online environment.
• The Rising Concern of ‘Sharenting’: Parents’ digital habits significantly influence their children’s online behaviour. One growing concern is ‘sharenting’—the practice of parents sharing personal details, images, or data about their children online without considering the potential long-term implications. This can jeopardise children’s privacy, especially as they grow older. 
  • Recently, the Assam Police have cautioned parents against oversharing their children’s information on social media, highlighting the need for greater awareness.
• Child Influencers and Marketing Regulation: The rise of child influencers on social media has raised concerns about exploitation and the impact on young individuals. In response, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (2023) has introduced guidelines requiring producers to obtain permission from district magistrates before children can participate in audio-visual content. 
  • Best Practice: France, have implemented more stringent measures, ensuring that any income generated by child influencers remains inaccessible to parents until the child turns 16. Such regulations could serve as a valuable model for India, providing additional protections for young influencers and addressing the ethical concerns surrounding their involvement in marketing and media.
• Tech Platforms’ Responsibilities: There is an urgent need for tech platforms to go beyond mere compliance with regulations and actively create environments that are safe and conducive for children. 
  • Age verification technologies can improve safety by allowing platforms to set different default settings based on a child’s age. For example, children around 12 years old could have specific settings tailored for them. However, there are growing privacy concerns about using identity documents, like Aadhaar cards, for age verification. These measures often require platforms to collect extra user data. Many people, especially those who are illiterate or don’t have identity cards, might struggle to use these systems effectively. This raises questions about how to keep children safe online while respecting their privacy and accessibility needs. 
  • The UK’s Age-Appropriate Design Code (2020) offers a promising model. Since its implementation, major platforms like Meta, Google, TikTok, and Snapchat have made 128 changes in settings  related to child safety and privacy, improving protections for younger users. Similar initiatives could significantly enhance online safety for children in other countries. 

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Conclusion

Instead of relying solely on blanket bans—which are often unenforceable and may have unintended negative consequences—policy approaches should focus on creating safer, more transparent digital environments. This could involve adjusting platform settings to minimise exposure to harmful content, making such content less accessible.Tech companies should not only implement design changes but also report on these modifications and their impact on children’s online behaviour. The priority must be to design digital spaces that are both safe and engaging for children, allowing them to explore the online world without undue risks. Achieving this goal requires collaboration among governments, tech companies, educators, and parents. Together, they can foster a safer digital future that protects children while promoting healthy online exploration.

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