The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warns that age restrictions alone are not enough to ensure children’s safety online. Protection or isolation? Why banning social networks for children can have the opposite effect Human rights
In Australia on Wednesday, the world’s first ban on the use of social networks by children and teenagers under 16 came into force. The official stated purpose of the ban is to protect youth from cyberbullying, sexual exploitation and harmful content that harms mental health.
As other countries consider similar measures, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warns that age restrictions alone are not enough to keep children safe online.
“We welcome the growing global commitment to protecting children digitally, but such bans pose new risks and may backfire,” it said in a statement. organization.
For many – especially isolated and marginalized – children, social networks are a kind of “lifeline” that promotes communication, learning and self-expression, the foundation believes. In addition, many of them will find ways to circumvent the ban in one way or another – through VPNs or less regulated platforms, which will make their protection even more difficult.“Age restrictions must be part of a broader strategy that protects children from harm, respects their right to privacy and does not push them into unregulated, less safe digital spaces,” UNICEF emphasized. Age restriction laws are no substitute for improved platform design and careful content moderation.
Call for joint action
UNICEF calls on governments, regulators and technology companies to work together with children and their families to create safe and inclusive digital spaces that respect rights child.
The UN Children’s Fund recommends that countries help parents improve digital literacy: “Today they are being asked to do the impossible: to control platforms they did not create and algorithms they do not understand.” the issue of online child protection. When social networks were launched, no one assessed their possible impact on human rights.”
“It’s important to monitor which methods work and which don’t,” added Volker Türk. “However, from a human rights perspective, the answer is obvious: the interests of the child must be at the center of all decisions.”