A new report by young people highlights the need for stronger online safety measures rather than banning social media for under-16s. The Youth Select Committee, a group of 14 to 19-year-olds, believes the Online Safety Act is not strong enough to protect children from harmful content.
While some countries, like Australia, are implementing social media bans for younger users, the committee argues that this is not practical or effective. Instead, they recommend better education on media literacy, helping young people understand algorithms and how to protect themselves online.
Wania Eshaal Ahmad, the 15-year-old committee chair, expressed concern over social media algorithms exposing teens to violent content. She warned that constant exposure to such material could lead to desensitization and a lack of awareness about real-life consequences.
The report calls for stronger enforcement of online safety rules, including holding social media platforms accountable when they fail to protect users. Suggestions include publicly naming platforms that break the rules, introducing an online safety rating system, and conducting more research on the connection between online content and real-life violence.
Although the Online Safety Act places more responsibility on social media companies to remove harmful content, the committee believes more action is needed. They emphasize that banning social media would not stop young users from accessing harmful material, as many could bypass age restrictions. Instead, they urge the government to listen to young people and involve them in shaping digital safety policies.
The committee stresses that action is needed from the government, social media companies, and educators to create a safer online environment. They call for real change, not just promises, to ensure young people are protected.
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