The Australian eSafety regulator has released a concerning report indicating that more than 80% of children aged 12 and under engaged with social media and messaging services that are intended for those over 13. The report highlights popular platforms among these young users, including YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat. This announcement comes as Australia prepares to enforce a proposed ban on social media usage for under-16s by the end of the year.
The study involved questioning 1,500 children aged between eight and 12 across Australia about their usage patterns. The findings revealed that 84% of respondents had used at least one social media or messaging service since last year. Notably, over half accessed these platforms through their parent or carer's account, while one-third reported having their own account. Most surprisingly, around 80% of children with their accounts received assistance from a parent or carer during the setup process.
According to the report, only 13% of children had their accounts terminated by the relevant social media companies for being below the age requirement, raising concerns about the effectiveness of age verification systems. The report underscores that a significant inconsistency exists across the industry regarding methods to verify users' ages, particularly at the point of account creation.
In response to the findings, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant emphasized the collective responsibility of social media platforms, device manufacturers, parents, teachers, and policymakers in ensuring children's online safety. The report also surveyed various platforms regarding their age-verification processes. Snapchat, TikTok, Twitch, and YouTube acknowledged that while they have technologies in place to identify potentially underage users, these often rely on active engagement, which may leave children vulnerable before detection occurs.
As discussions around accountability and safety continue, the eSafety report serves as a crucial contribution to shaping policies aimed at safeguarding young users in the digital landscape.
