The proposed social media ban for children under 14 aims to protect young people from the negative effects of social media. Cyber security expert Donovan Pillay explained, “This bill is going to help most kids get their mental health back, even if they don’t see the benefit at face value.”
He highlighted the growing evidence that online interactions often expose children to bullying, harmful content, and mental health risks. By keeping younger kids off these platforms, the risks associated with their online presence could be significantly reduced.
From a mental health perspective, children who aren’t exposed to social media at a young age might be better equipped to handle real-life interactions. Donovan noted that “getting kids off their devices and into real-world activities” is crucial for their development. The bill would push for age verification measures to ensure that children under 14 stay off social platforms.
Enforcement Challenges: Can Social Media Companies Keep Minors Off?
While the goal is clear, the enforcement of these age restrictions poses several challenges. For one, many children are tech-savvy and could find ways to bypass restrictions. “Let’s be real, kids being kids, they will find ways to fake their ages or identities,” said Donovan. He pointed out that despite the age restrictions in place, minors often find creative ways to skirt the rules, such as using fake IDs.
Social media companies like Meta would need to implement more robust age verification technologies, such as requiring government IDs and contact details, to keep minors off their platforms. However, Donovan expressed concerns about the privacy implications: “The issue around this enforcement is that they’re going to require data from us…and I think that is a massive problem.“
Privacy Concerns: At What Cost?
While the ban could offer better protection for children, it raises serious privacy issues for families. Donovan warned that enforcing these restrictions might require users to give up personal information, including government-issued IDs and biometric data. “My concern is that we’re going to be giving these companies even more data,” he said.
Additionally, the use of advanced algorithms to monitor users’ age and activities raises privacy red flags. Once this data is collected, social media platforms could know even more about users’ locations, habits, and personal information, posing risks to both children and adults alike.
The Role of Parents and Social Media Companies
Donovan also emphasised the need for social media companies to prioritise user safety over profits. “In an ideal world, these social media gatekeepers should be doing everything in their power to keep our kids safe,” he explained. However, he remained sceptical, suggesting that these companies are more focused on increasing their user base than ensuring child safety.
Furthermore, Donovan stressed the importance of parental involvement in children’s online lives. He advocated for parents to set boundaries, such as limiting screen time, to help mitigate the effects of social media. “We need to rein that back and ensure that our kids’ mental health is protected,” he said.
The debate over social media bans for minors raises important questions about safety, privacy, and enforcement. While the intention is to protect children from online harm, there are concerns about how these restrictions will be implemented and the potential loss of privacy. As Donovan explained, “The trade-off is that while we try to protect kids, adults might lose their privacy.” The challenge now lies in finding the right balance between safeguarding children and preserving personal data security.