What are your thoughts on Australia banning kids under 16 from social media?

[Deep]

I had Myspace at 13 (before smartphones) and agree with this decision. Cyberbullying and social manipulation have grown exponentially, and it really cannot be overstated how much damage that has done to so many young people's personal development.

 

[Bryn]

I agree with the decision also, more so when the UK is following suit. Although, our case is different because the tragic suicide of Molly Rose is still in the minds of many, as a result of her being exposed to such harmful content on Instagram.

However, I'm a bit concerned as to how it's going to be enforced...

 

[gwolf666]

It seems exaggerated to me, prohibiting the use of social networks as teenagers, a few years away from being adults, the only thing that will achieve is that they will be extremely sensitive and accept a reality that is crueler than one thinks when they become adults. I feel that Wanting to deprive them of realities can be bad, if they are 10 years old I understand it, but 16 years old and they cannot use social networks? it seems exaggerated to me

 

[Cory]

However, I'm a bit concerned as to how it's going to be enforced...

This. It's generally hard to enforce such laws. I know it will probably be better than COPPA where all you do is check a box confirming you're 13 years or older, but there are so many loopholes a 16-year-old can do to get around such a restriction.

 

[Cpvr]

This. It's generally hard to enforce such laws. I know it will probably be better than COPPA where all you do is check a box confirming you're 13 years or older, but there are so many loopholes a 16-year-old can do to get around such a restriction.

Coppa actually required parental consent forms before. It was heavily enforced and they would go after sites that weren’t abying by their rules. Especially if they catered to kids.

Verifiable Parental Consent and the Children's Online Privacy Rule

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA Rule) spells out what operators of websites and online services must do to protect children’s privacy and safety online.

www.ftc.gov

Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule: A Six-Step Compliance Plan for Your Business

When it comes to the collection of personal information from children under 13, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) puts parents in control. The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, enforces the COPPA Rule, which spells out what operators of...

www.ftc.gov

COPPA doesn’t apply to everyone operating a website or other online service. Put simply, COPPA applies to operators of websites and online services that collect personal information from kids under 13. Here’s a more specific way of determining if COPPA applies to you. You must comply with COPPA if:

Your website or online service is directed to children under 13 and you collect personal information from them.

OR

Your website or online service is directed to children under 13 and you let others collect personal information from them.

OR

Your website or online service is directed to a general audience, but you have actual knowledge that you collect personal information from children under 13.

OR

Your company runs an ad network or plug-in, for example, and you have actual knowledge that you collect personal information from users of a website or service directed to children under 13.

To determine if you’re covered by COPPA, look at how the Rule defines some key terms.

“Website or online service”​

COPPA defines this term broadly. In addition to standard websites, examples of others covered by the Rule include:

• mobile apps that send or receive information online (like network-connected games, social networking apps, or apps that deliver behaviorally-targeted ads),
• internet-enabled gaming platforms,
• plug-ins,
• advertising networks,
• internet-enabled location-based services,
• voice-over internet protocol services,
• connected toys or other Internet of Things devices.

 

[Cory]

Coppa actually required parental consent forms before. It was heavily enforced and they would go after sites that weren’t abying by their rules. Especially if they catered to kids.

Required? So, it's no longer a requirement?

 

[Al]

This will be easily circumvented. Even if they ask for parental consent, most parents will just lie about the age of their children for some peace and quiet.

 

[Cedric]

This. It's generally hard to enforce such laws. I know it will probably be better than COPPA where all you do is check a box confirming you're 13 years or older, but there are so many loopholes a 16-year-old can do to get around such a restriction.

It's the same like being on InvisionFree back in the day. We weren't 13 when we started, yet we confirmed we were.

 

[Cory]

We weren't 13 when we started, yet we confirmed we were.

Excuse me sir, I was 14 when I started using message boards.

However, I didn't even know COPPA existed at the time, so I guess consider me lucky for starting to use forums at the age of 14.