CMA’s Hon CEO, Barbara Biggins, discusses ‘Are social media bans the best course of action for minimising harm?’

The big topic of conversation this month has been whether, and how, we could ban children under the age of 14 years from accessing social media.

There’s growing evidence of harm to the developing brain from frequent involvement in social media (see this issue’s Research section for several recent articles).  It’s a huge concern to parents as they attempt to modify their children’s social media use, having observed their growing dependence on it. Educators have implemented bans on use of phones in schools as it distracts from attention in class.

But are bans the best course of action? Can they be effective in minimising harm?   Read on for more discussion…

Most social media sites state that those under 13 years should not use their site. But many younger children do, often with their parent’s consent. Paul Litherland, a former WA police officer, who talks to students about internet safety, says that around 72 per cent of year 5 and 6 students that he spoke to were on social networking sites, even though under 13s were not allowed to sign up.  He supports a ban saying “if  legislation is written correctly and is considerate of circumstances, then I do think it can work”. He continued “The only concern I have is that if we’re going to make it illegal for kids to create accounts, that’s taking away the responsibility of the networks to protect users — it’s handballing that to parents and legislators”.  “It can’t just push the onus to enforce what I think big tech should be doing themselves.”

The Educator has a wide ranging discussion of the issues, concluding that “there’s a growing consensus social media companies should be doing more to ensure users’ safety“. Until that happens, it says “the best approach is for parents and children to talk to each other to determine the appropriate age for a child to be on social media”.

Those supporting action on social media include the national Heads Up Alliance who argue that it’s extremely difficult  for even conscientious parents to keep their children off social media until later years, given the repeated cry that everyone else is doing it.

Michelle Grattan provided an excellent summary of the issues in The Conversation, including coverage of what some states are planning.

Overseas, more countries are fronting up to Big Tech and letting them know they require social media companies to do more to protect vulnerable users. Those acting include the European Union, the UK, the US and Canada.

We now all have an opportunity to have a say in what should happen through the federal parliament’s Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society inquiry.  This Committee was appointed by resolution of the Senate on 15 May 2024 and resolution of the House of Representatives on 16 May 2024.  It is due to present an interim report on or before 15 August 2024, and its final report on or before 18 November 2024.  Submissions are requested by 28 June 2024.