Recent research reveals that over 80% of Australian children aged eight to 12 are using social media and messaging services meant for users over 13. This comes as Australia prepares to enforce a complete ban on social media for those under 16 by year-end. The country’s internet regulator, eSafety, identified YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat as the most popular platforms among young children and criticized them for insufficient age verification measures. Companies like Discord, Google (YouTube), Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Reddit, Snap, and Twitch did not respond to requests for comment. While users on these platforms are required to be 13 or older, exceptions exist, such as YouTube’s Family Link and YouTube Kids app designed for children. Notably, YouTube may be exempt from the upcoming ban. eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant views the report as a valuable resource for future actions. Australia’s strict stance on social media for youth is being observed globally, with the UK considering a similar ban. TikTok used the report to challenge Australian authorities, particularly regarding YouTube’s exemption. A study involving 1,500 children aged eight to 15 in Australia showed that a majority were engaging in social media or messaging services, often with parental oversight. The report highlighted inconsistencies in age verification procedures across platforms, emphasizing the need for more robust measures during account setup. The regulator’s investigation also revealed gaps in how platforms verify the ages of younger users. Snapchat, TikTok, Twitch, and YouTube were among the platforms surveyed for this information.
As part of their efforts to safeguard young users, authors have implemented advanced tools and technologies to identify individuals under the age of 13 when accessing their platform. These proactive measures involve analyzing user interactions within the service, such as connecting with others, communicating, and sharing content, to detect potential age-related signals effectively.
According to a recent report, the use of such tools necessitates active user engagement, meaning that children may unknowingly expose themselves to various risks and dangers while the detection process takes place. This highlights the importance of continuously monitoring and adapting protective measures to ensure the safety and well-being of underage individuals in online environments.
