‘Both a burden and a privacy risk for parents and teens’: Meta responds to social media ban for under 16s
Meta has supported the enforcement of age limitations for social media use, but argues that putting the onus on the platforms to self-police isn’t the correct approach.
Anthony Albanese announced on Thursday morning the Australian government will introduce legislation banning social media access for children under 16, with the social media platforms given one year to introduce measures to ensure that anyone under the age limit won’t be able to use their platforms, on threat of large enforceable fines.
Meta has responded by releasing research conducted by Ipsos Australia Public Affairs on parental views around social media. It believes the onus should lie with the app stores to act as gatekeepers.
The research shows 82% of parents support a law requiring parental approval for children under 16 to download apps, with 70% of parents surveyed say providing approval in one place such as an app store would be easier than providing approvals in each application individually.
The research found that 75% of parents surveyed trust app stores over apps to securely handle the personal data needed to verify parental approval, and 67% believe they should decide if social media is right for their kids, rather than a government ban.
Meta said it is “aligned with parents when it comes to providing safe, positive experiences for teens on its platforms”.
“We think there is an obvious approach that aligns with what parents are telling us,” the company wrote.
“Parental consent and age verification should happen at the app store and OS level. And we believe it should be required under Australian law.
“Parents share their child’s age and set up approval for app store purchases when setting up their child’s phone. We can use those existing systems, instead of complicated, time-intensive new ones that will create both a burden and a privacy risk for parents and teens. This multi-layered industry-wide approach will help ensure teens are actually safer.”
Antigone Davis
Antigone Davis, global vice president of safety, Meta said: “We respect any age limitations the government wants to introduce for social media use.
“However, what’s missing is a deeper discussion on how we implement protections, otherwise we risk making ourselves feel better, like we have taken action, but teens and parents will not find themselves in a better place.
“The research shows parents want to be involved in their teens’ online lives and want to have a say in determining what’s appropriate for their individual teens.
“We strongly believe parental approval and age verification at the operating system and app store level will provide a simple and effective solution, while also reducing the burden and privacy risk for parents and teens.”
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Nathan Jolly is the Features Editor at Mumbrella. He joined the team in July, 2023.
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This is the hill Albo will die on he’s getting slaughtered by both the left and right on X with this silly policy, mark my words he’s gone next election.
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What a crock of $&@:) So any kid can use any web browser and access xxx content at will but social platforms are somehow responsible if the same kid accesses their family photos and inappropriate. Yes, that’s an exaggeration but seriously, the government needs to engage with global platforms not ostracise them.
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