Jalees Ahmad, Al Hakam
Picture this: A 13-year-old, scrolling through their phone late at night, freely roaming what the algorithm has to offer and what the platforms choose to push. The teenager is searching for that dopamine hit, which has now become a drug that many are addicted to, and without that one good video to laugh at, or seeing what their favourite influencer has posted, their day is incomplete. But beneath this all lurks danger: a world of online risks they’re too young to navigate.
Now imagine a world where that danger is suddenly switched off, just like the flick of a switch. What if social media – those digital playgrounds we all know so well – was off-limits for kids under 16?
Australia, the land Down Under, has passed a landmark “soon be a world-first law” banning children under 16 from using major social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X, making platforms liable for fines of up to $33 million if they fail to prevent underage users (apnews.com). The law, which passed the Senate and House of Representatives, includes amendments to protect privacy, such as preventing platforms from requiring government-issued IDs for age verification. (Ibid)
An article published in The Washington Post stated that:“The Senate passed the bill 34 votes to 19. The House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved the legislation 102 votes to 13.”
On 20 November, the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, took to X to tell the world:
“TODAY: We’re introducing our bill to make 16 years the minimum age for social media.”
There have been some supporters who argue it is crucial for child safety, while others warn it could isolate vulnerable young people, particularly those seeking support online, and could lead to privacy risks and unintended negative consequences.
Social media platforms will have one year to map out the best course of action for implementing this before penalties are enforced. However, social media platforms “will not be allowed to compel users to provide government-issued identity documents including passports or driver’s licenses” (www.washingtonpost.com)
For anyone who has carefully or even casually observed the growing concerns surrounding social media’s impact on young people, Australia’s decision to introduce this law comes as no surprise. The move is a direct response to the mounting evidence of the harmful effects social media has on youth, from mental health challenges to online safety risks.
Many cases have emerged, both past and present, where children have been targeted, sexually abused, or murdered as a result of exploitation of social media, leaving a lasting impact on affected families. Factors such as child safety and protection, mental health concerns, and a lack of accountability from tech companies is also currently under discussion.
Social media companies we are all familiar with recognise the risks associated with young people engaging in online platforms, as evidenced by age restrictions and content filters they have put in place. For example, Facebook enforces a minimum age limit of 13 for account creation, while Instagram has introduced a feature to limit certain types of content for younger users. Similarly, TikTok restricts access to some features for users under 16 to reduce exposure to potentially harmful content.
There have been arguments for both sides, one stating that “the ban could dangerously isolate many children who used social media to find support.” Others have stated that “monumental moment in protecting our children from horrendous harms online.” (www.washingtonpost.com)
No matter from which lens one looks at this, a plethora of data reveals that online safety is detrimental to protecting the minds of the youth.
The Online Safety Act 2023, passed in the UK in 2023, introduced legal duties for online platforms, with the aim to protect both children and adults from harm while using digital services. The Act requires social media companies and other online platforms to prevent the spread of illegal content, such as child sexual abuse and harmful material related to self-harm, suicide, and violence.
Cases of the dangers of social media have always been discussed. Take, for example, the rise of AI, the story of the 14-year-old boy who “fell in love with a flirty AI chatbot” and shot himself so that they could die together (www.telegraph.co.uk). Though some may argue as to who was at fault, the matter remains that social media is a place that seriously needs to be governed and measures of safety must be taken into consideration.
The question of whether children under 16 should be banned from using major social media platforms is a complex issue, and how this will be implemented remains to be seen. As with any policy, a careful balance must be struck between safety, freedom, and privacy. However, as discussed in this piece, it is clear that some form of action is necessary. This move is likely to inspire other countries to consider similar measures, especially if they are genuinely concerned about the well-being of their youth and, by extension, the future of their societies.
It should come as no surprise that this issue has been addressed by the head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa, Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, at various stages and during numerous engagements with the youth, has spoken extensively about the negative impacts of social media.
“These days the practical danger stems from the rampant and uncontrollable spread of the societal ills and, worse, some ills are given legal protection in the name of freedom of expression and speech. Evil was somewhat restricted before this age. The evil of the neighborhood remained in the neighborhood, a city’s evil stayed in the city, and a country’s evil remained in the country. At worst, neighbors would be affected by an evil.
“Now, however, with the ease of travel, television, internet and various media these individual and localised evils have turned into international evils. Contacts are forged on the Internet across thousands of miles to spread evil and indecency.” (Friday Sermon, delivered on 6 December 2013, at the Baitul Futuh Mosque, London. Published in Al Fazl International on December 27, 2013.)
And thus, with the ban on children under 16 from using major social media platforms, many countries will undoubtedly be awakened to the urgency of safeguarding the minds of their youth. After all, “Nations cannot be reformed without the reformation of the youth” (Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra). By prioritising the well-being of young people, nations can secure a brighter, more promising future. Only time will tell what impact this law will have, but one can only hope that it marks the beginning of a much-needed change – one that is long overdue.