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However, RMIT experts have raised significant concerns about this approach.
Professor of Information Sciences at RMIT University Lisa Given believes the proposed ban is premature and unsupported by evidence. She argues that children need to develop the skills to navigate online spaces and that banning them is not the solution.
“Parents and teachers play a key role in supporting children to develop technical and information literacy around these platforms,” Given states. She also highlights the importance of adult guidance when children encounter harmful online behaviour.
Given further notes that young people may find ways to bypass these restrictions, making it difficult to enforce the ban effectively. Additionally, she points out that current age verification strategies present privacy concerns and are easily circumvented.
Associate Dean at RMIT’s School of Computing Technologies Dr Dana McKay adds that social media is one of the few public spaces where children can maintain connections with friends, particularly those who are geographically distant.
She argues that banning children from social media overlooks the positive social interactions it provides.
“While there are risks inherent to social media,” McKay explains, “these risks could be addressed by regulating social media rather than children.”
McKay suggests that problems like harmful interactions could be managed through better regulation, such as minimising advertising and using behavioural analytics. She emphasises that making social media safer is a more effective solution than removing children from these platforms altogether.
The experts agree that a balanced approach focusing on regulation, rather than exclusion, is necessary to protect young people online.
Read also: Protecting Aussie kids online: eSafety Commissioner questions tech giants on age assurance
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