In an unprecedented move, Australia amended its Online Safety Act to prohibit access to social media platforms for those under 16. Many Indian parents are arguing that India should consider a similar policy. Last week, the draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules that were released stated that under-18s will now require parental consent to create social media accounts, though there are no penalties for violations.
The Australian law introduces ‘age- restricted social media platforms’ defined as those that solely or have significant characteristics of enabling social interactions. This vague classification has been designed to facilitate exemptions for gaming, messaging, health and education apps, among others acknowledging the need to retain teens’ access to the internet. However, this approach:
Fails to align with the shape-shifting qualities of digital services and children’s ability to adapt. Many ‘messaging’, ‘streaming’ and ‘gaming’ apps increasingly exhibit characteristics affiliated with social media, such as user statuses. Children are likely to find alternatives to banned platforms, but with parents having a false sense of security about safety. A greater risk is that adults will find out much later when lesser-known apps disguised as ‘non-social media’ will fill this void.
Creates an obligation for age-restricted services to collect information of all users for age assessments, causing an increase in data security and privacy risks. Recognising these concerns, the Australian law does not allow companies to use government ID systems for age verification; instead, it mentions that platforms must take ‘reasonable steps’ towards compliance. These undefined, ‘reasonable steps’ taken by each platform will be benchmarked against detailed age-assurance trials that Australia’s e-safety commissioner will undertake by September.
The Australian senate committee received representations on how social media improves accessibility for children with disabilities and peer support and solidarity for those facing marginalisation. Lack of such access can lead to social isolation and encourages riskier behaviours.
Indian parents’ concerns include excessive screen time, access to inappropriate content, unsafe contact by strangers and pressure to conform. These are all legitimate concern
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