In a shocking new study, more than 80% of Australian children aged 12 or under have been found using social media platforms that are officially for those over 13. According to the country's eSafety regulator, popular apps like YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat are being accessed by the nation’s youngest users, which has sparked discussions about child safety online.
As a response, Australia is considering a new law to ban social media for those under 16, likely to be implemented by the end of this year. The survey queried over 1,500 children between eight and 12, revealing that 84% had engaged with at least one social platform, often using accounts set up under parental supervision.
Interestingly, many children utilized their parents’ accounts, while nearly a third had personal accounts due to help from adults. Alarmingly, only 13% of these accounts were deactivated by the platforms despite age guidelines. The regulators noted that there is inconsistency among social media companies concerning the verification of user ages, highlighting a significant gap in protecting children from potential online risks.
While platforms like Snapchat and TikTok claim to use technologies to identify underage users, the effectiveness of these measures remains an open question. As the debate continues, a stronger focus on age verification systems and online safety education is crucial for creating a safer digital environment for children.
As a response, Australia is considering a new law to ban social media for those under 16, likely to be implemented by the end of this year. The survey queried over 1,500 children between eight and 12, revealing that 84% had engaged with at least one social platform, often using accounts set up under parental supervision.
Interestingly, many children utilized their parents’ accounts, while nearly a third had personal accounts due to help from adults. Alarmingly, only 13% of these accounts were deactivated by the platforms despite age guidelines. The regulators noted that there is inconsistency among social media companies concerning the verification of user ages, highlighting a significant gap in protecting children from potential online risks.
While platforms like Snapchat and TikTok claim to use technologies to identify underage users, the effectiveness of these measures remains an open question. As the debate continues, a stronger focus on age verification systems and online safety education is crucial for creating a safer digital environment for children.
