Tougher social media restrictions test digital protection

About two years ago, when I first saw a short video on my phone about Australia's plan to ban children from using social media, my first thought was: Can a ban really protect children in the digital age?

For many families, social media is no longer separate from childhood. It is embedded in phones, games, chat groups and other forms of online communication. Even adults can struggle to know when to stop scrolling, what information to trust or how much personal information they have shared online. For children, the challenges can be even greater.

That is why Australia's social media minimum age law has drawn broad attention since it came into effect on Dec 10.

More than half a year after its implementation, the law is being strengthened further. In June, the Australian government said it was "doubling down on platforms that are not doing enough to keep under-16s off social media", doubling the maximum penalty for breaches to A$99 million ($70 million).

The new legislation will also strengthen the information-gathering powers of the eSafety Commissioner, making it easier for the independent regulator to request information and documents from social media companies to ensure compliance.

Since the law took effect, eSafety has considered services including Facebook, TikTok and YouTube as age-restricted platforms. They need to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from having accounts.

In other words, the responsibility lies with the platforms, not children or their parents.

The Australian government said more than 5 million accounts belonging to under-16s have been removed, deactivated or restricted since the ban began.

Described by Australia as "world-leading", the law quickly drew international attention. The United Kingdom has announced plans to ban social media platforms from providing services to children under 16, with the measure expected to take effect next year. New Zealand, Norway and Turkiye are also considering similar restrictions.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said when announcing the stronger enforcement measures that he was heartened by the shift in public discussion and the global momentum since the country introduced the minimum age law. However, he said it was clear that big technology companies were not doing enough to comply, with too many children still accessing social media.

The changes reflected how seriously the government viewed any failure by social media companies to comply with the "world-leading" law, he said.

Doubling the fines can certainly put pressure on platforms. Tech giants have long profited from users' time, clicks, comments and traffic, giving them a greater responsibility to protect minors on their platforms.

However, as the debate around this law has spread from Australia to other countries, I feel the most important point is not the size of the fine, but the signal it sends: As children enter the digital world at increasingly young ages, their protection needs to be taken more seriously.

The law is not meant to punish children or blame parents. Rather, it serves as protective line before children enter the complex online world.

Still, the law can only do part of the job. The people who spend the most time with children every day are parents.

Closing an account or limiting an app does not make online risks disappear. Children can still connect with the outside world through games, chat groups, video platforms and other online spaces.

The ban is also a reminder for parents to pay closer attention to what their children see online, whom they talk to, and whether they know how to protect themselves.

The hardest and most important part is explaining to children why this is being done. If parents simply say, "You are not allowed to use it," children may see it only as control. But if they understand how certain content, interactions with strangers, online comments and algorithmic recommendations can affect their emotions, privacy and safety, they are more likely to accept the rules.

Today, digital life is already part of everyday life. Protecting children cannot simply mean pulling them away from screens. Parents also need to keep pace with the times and help children build stronger digital skills, enabling them to assess information, identify risks, protect their privacy and use technology responsibly.

In this sense, Australia's ban may also offer an important lesson for children before they truly step into the digital world.

The author is chief correspondent at China Daily Asia-Pacific Bureau based in Sydney.

Contact the writer at xinxin@chinadaily.com.cn