There is a debate surrounding reports that some Indian states are considering banning social media for children under 16 due to its impact on young minds. In Australia, a law has been enacted to shield young individuals from features that promote excessive screen time and display potentially harmful content, as stated by the country’s Office For Youth, with the aim of safeguarding them from associated risks. Prior to implementing the law, consultations were held with children and parents.
Jatin Gandhi, a journalist and Trust and Safety practitioner, emphasized the importance of regulating social media to ensure user trust and safety. He highlighted the necessity of controlling social media due to its negative societal impacts and the prioritization of profit over user well-being by online platforms. Gandhi advocated for a phased approach of banning, regulating, and then gradually easing social media presence.
Experts like Joydeep Dasgupta and Sambit Pal expressed differing views on restricting children’s social media usage. While Dasgupta stressed the need for parental guidance and setting screen time limits to mitigate online risks, Pal emphasized the importance of educating children on responsible social media usage rather than complete avoidance. Pal also called for stricter age-verification measures and appropriate content delivery for underage users by social media companies.
