Responding to a new Australian law prohibiting children and young people under 16 from using social media, Damini Satija, Programme Director at Amnesty Tech said:
“A ban is an ineffective quick fix that’s out of step with the realities of a generation that lives both on and offline. The most effective way to protect children and young people online is by protecting all social media users through better regulation, stronger data protection laws and better platform design. Robust safeguards are needed to ensure social media platforms stop exposing users to harms through their relentless pursuit of user engagement and exploitation of people’s personal data.
“The most effective way to protect children and young people online is by protecting all social media users through better regulation, stronger data protection laws and better platform design.”
Damini Satija, Programme Director at Amnesty Tech
“While social media platforms’ practices are harmful to younger users, young people also have a right to express themselves online, access information and participate in the digital town square. Social media provides opportunities for inclusion, connection, creativity, learning, health information and entertainment, all of which are beneficial to their mental health.
“Many young people will no doubt find ways to avoid the restrictions. A ban simply means they will continue to be exposed to the same harms but in secret, leaving them at even greater risk. The Australian government must empower young people with education and tools to navigate social media safely. It must also put pressure on social media platforms to stop putting profit over the safety of users. We must build a pathway towards a digitally safe society, relying on regulation as one of the tools at our disposal.”
“The Australian government must empower young people with education and tools to navigate social media safely. It must also put pressure on social media platforms to stop putting profit over the safety of users.”
Damini Satija, Programme Director at Amnesty Tech
Background
From 10 December, social media companies must prevent under-16s in Australia from opening accounts and remove existing accounts from their platforms.
Other countries are considering similar measures. On 26 November, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) announced their support for an EU-wide minimum age of 16 for access to social media, video-sharing platforms and AI companions. Last week Malaysia also introduced plans to introduce a blanket ban for children under 16 years.
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