An Open Letter on the Social Media Censorship, By James Reed

For people who hopefully will still contact their state Senators regarding the social media ban for children under 16 years, here is an open letter from a large group of concerned people, which has the main points of criticism covered:

https://au.reset.tech/uploads/ACRT-Open-letter-re-social-media-bans.pdf

October 9th 2024

Dear Prime Minister and Premiers, Re: Proposed social media bans for children under 16-year old's,

We write to you about the proposal to 'ban' children from social media until the age of 16-years-old. We understand the risks that social media has for children and young people, and these are well documented. Addressing those risks requires a careful and evidence-based response that acknowledges the role that the digital world plays in contemporary childhood. The online world is a place where children and young people access information, build social and technical skills, connect with family and friends, learn about the world around them and relax and play. These opportunities are important for children, advancing children's rights and strengthening development and the transition to adulthood. Any restrictions in the digital world must therefore be designed with care and we are concerned that a 'ban' is too blunt an instrument to address risks effectively. Some concerns include:

● Bans affect rights to access and participation: The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child states that 'national policies should be aimed at providing children with the opportunity to benefit from engaging with the digital environment and ensuring their safe access to it.'

● Parental consent does not fix unsafe products. Placing requirements on parents to consent to the use of 'unsafe' products does not drive up safety.

● Parents and carers often are not 'the experts', but will still be asked to make informed decisions. Placing responsibility on parents to provide consent, without adequate guidance and support, is unfair. Not all parents will be able to manage the responsibility of protection in the digital world.

● Implementing a ban effectively remains a challenge. There are not yet effective techniques for age assurance nor to verify parental consent, and privacy concerns remain.

● It creates even more risks for children who may still use platforms. Platforms would be disincentivised from offering child safety features for any younger users that do still 'slip onto' a platform via ineffective age assurance.

● It fails to drive up safety standards on platforms children will be allowed to use. Some social media 'type' services appear too integral to childhood to be banned, for example short form video streamers. But these too have safety risks like risks of dangerous algorithms promoting risky content. A ban does not function to improve the products children will be allowed to use. As an alternative, systemic regulation has the capacity to drive up safety and privacy standards on platforms for all children and eschews the issues described above. Digital platforms are just like other products, and can have safety standards imposed. We welcome the commitment to the development of a Children's Privacy Code and the review of the enforceability of the Basic Online Safety Expectations. There also needs to be a focus on supporting and empowering children, families and carers. A blanket ban will create a challenge for those children and young people who feel their access has been unfairly restricted. The work of keeping platforms responsible and building awareness of risk and responsibility amongst all users is a challenge but will provide longer term benefits."