The UK government is gearing up to enforce one of its most groundbreaking online safety laws ever. Expanding the ban on social media usage only to be made available to users under the age of 16 is a part of the proposal that has worried the minds of parents schools technology firms and policymakers alike. Supporting such stringent measures On one side is the realization of a serious problem, while Then again if the problem is exaggerated or it is only one part of a larger problem then the proposed measure may be unnecessary.
This move signals an effort to further scrutinize the interaction of young people with digital platforms. The problem with social media is not only attracting governments but it also has other stakeholders that are concerned. They are the parents and the educators who are directly responsible for the care of children and youth. Their concern is justified. Besides raising concerns about children’s mental health, bullying and exposure to inappropriate contents, they are also worried about sleep disruption and reduced attention spans. Based on those persons advocate for online safety, regulation is the only way to effectively protect children from harmful and addiction-inducing contents. If social networking companies have age-verification systems, then children below 16 years old should be denied access without safeguards such as parental monitoring or other controls which are necessary to ensure safety.
But, the rising evidence of children’s changing behavior, due to living a great part of their lives online is a strong justification of the UK government’s measure. Mobile, computer and social media network devices are majorly responsible for social media becoming the primary mode of communication, entertainment and information for teenagers. One of the characteristics of the social media platforms is their ability to bring out the young people’s creativity and to connect them with other people. This point has been strengthened and well emphasized by their parents, teachers and the whole society. It is most probably the reason why most of the young people choose to spend a great deal of time on social media. But, opposers suggest that, as much as social networks can offer and bring young people together, at the same time they expose them to unsuspected and unpredicted dangers.
The mental health issue has become a core topic of the debate. Constant social comparison, exposure to unrealistic content, and the pressure to maintain an online presence have been highlighted as three main causes of emotional distress in adolescents. In reality children seek for approval and want to feel accepted by their peers (in this case online peers) explains why social media can contribute to stress, loneliness and low self-esteem. The situation has been so alarming that both parents and healthcare professionals have come together and spoken out on the harm excessive social media can do. Those who are in favor of the social media ban think that, the measures can cause the restoration of the health digital environment of the children. They hold the view that, giving the children a chance to mature emotionally and to lead healthier lifestyles can only be made possible by the ban as they will only be exposed to the social media after they have reached the age for such activities. They further argue that there is a need to point the finger and hold the technology companies responsible for the lack of safety measures of the children on their platforms.
Alas, implementing such restrictions is not going to be a walk in the park for the tech companies. Age verification is the biggest hurdle for the digital platforms. Besides protecting user privacy, companies must also ensure that they comply with regulations and offer an impeccable verification systems. If the law is made then companies will have to focus largely on creating systems and mechanisms that will prevent underage users accessing to contents or features while at the same time not creating new privacy problems.
While the governments themselves were debating there had been extensive discussions of whether or not the governments should regulate online activity. Those who are in favor of the move see the move as a necessary measure that is taken to address the risks of the digital world that keep increasing. But, opponent are not so sure that such a broad restriction would be the most effective way or approach.
