Why is banning not the best solution to protect children online?

The rise of social media platforms and digital tools has provided children with many opportunities to learn, create and connect. However, alongside these benefits comes a growing set of challenges.

The online space, especially social media, appears to be increasingly fraught with dangers for children, from cyberbullying to sexual exploitation. Balancing the benefits of digital tools and protecting children from online risks is one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

What benefits do social media platforms bring to children?

Social media platforms offer many benefits to children, if used properly and with parental or adult supervision.

Accordingly, online education platforms provide tools to promote learning, while social media helps children connect globally and break down geographical barriers.

Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Zalo and Instagram serve as creative outlets, allowing young people to share their talents. They also give children the opportunity to connect with others who share their interests or passions through online groups and communities.

For children in disadvantaged circumstances, including those in rural areas or children with disabilities, the Internet can be a lifesaver, opening up access to resources and learning opportunities.

Social media also gives children a sense of belonging, creating a space for them to engage in conversations about important issues, from environmental protection to mental health awareness, helping them find a voice and empathy in life.

Through exposure to social media platforms, children have the opportunity to increase their understanding of modern technology, thereby developing necessary digital skills in the technological age and helping children understand how to use online tools safely and effectively.

Potential dangers for children in cyberspace

According to the international cooperation initiative to address the issue of sexual violence and exploitation of children online (also known as the Disrupting Harm project), children become easy targets for sexual exploitation and abuse on social media platforms.

Taking advantage of the anonymity and widespread accessibility of these platforms, bad actors use sophisticated tactics such as luring, blackmailing, or distributing illegal pornography to exploit children.

Vulnerable groups of children in particular face higher risks, as they often lack safe environments to speak out, making the psychological burden of exploitation and abuse even more severe.

This problem is compounded by economic, social and cultural factors. Children from low-income families often lack the necessary digital skills, making them vulnerable to online threats without being able to recognize or respond.

Victims of online exploitation often suffer from lasting shame, anxiety and depression, leaving them with deep psychological and emotional trauma.

Research shows that children who have encountered one form of online harm are vulnerable to further forms of harm, creating a cycle of continued vulnerability. This highlights the need for early intervention and comprehensive strategies to keep children safe online.

Governments around the world are working to implement policies to protect children in cyberspace.

Recently, the Australian Parliament passed the world's first law banning children under 16 from using social networks, which has attracted great public attention, with both support and opposition.

The Australian Parliament's passage of this law aims to do what no government has successfully done before, and also meets the demands of many parents to prevent children from using social media platforms.

Meanwhile, Singapore has introduced a new Social Media Code, issued by the Infocomm Media Development Authority, that requires platforms like TikTok and Facebook to remove harmful content and implement special protections for children.

South Korea is a prime example of the challenges of enforcing measures to limit children’s access to digital platforms. In 2011, the country imposed strict limits on children’s gaming time, but the measures proved ineffective as children found ways around the rules, leading to the policy being repealed.

Norway has set a minimum age limit for social media use at 13, but the law has not been effectively enforced. Recent studies by the Norwegian media have revealed an alarming situation, according to which more than half of 9-year-olds, 58% of 10-year-olds and even 72% of 11-year-olds have used social media platforms.

Similarly, European Union regulations requiring parental consent for underage children to use social media are not always fully enforced, raising questions about the feasibility and effectiveness of policies to protect children online.

France, in particular, is conducting a promising experiment to reduce students' dependence on mobile phones. Specifically, French schools will ban students under 15 from bringing phones to class. If the experiment is successful, the French government plans to implement the ban nationwide by January next year.

There are still many opinions opposing a complete ban on children using social networking platforms.

However, restrictive policies can inadvertently have negative consequences, making it more difficult for parents and teachers to identify and address children's problems.

These measures also carry the risk of alienating children, as they perceive them as intrusive and disrespectful of their personal autonomy.

For example, the recent ban on social media use by children under 16 years old that was passed by the Australian Parliament has met with much opposition. Accordingly, the Australian Human Rights Commission has expressed "serious concerns" about the ban, warning that the regulations could "significantly interfere with the rights of children and young people".

Meanwhile, Mr. Christopher Stone, CEO of the Australian Suicide Prevention Organization, said that the Australian government should pause implementation and cooperate with relevant parties to have the most appropriate policies for the benefit of the young generation.

One of the strongest arguments against imposing an outright ban is the importance of improving digital literacy in reducing online risks.

Children with better digital skills are better able to respond to challenges online, from identifying harmful content, stopping abusive users, to reporting abuse.

Conversely, children who lack digital skills are more likely to be overwhelmed by online dangers and less likely to seek help when they need it. Implementing digital literacy education programs can help children become more confident, active and responsible participants in their online experiences.

These programs may include lessons on how to recognize predatory behavior, understand personal privacy settings, and encourage building healthy online relationships.

For many young people, social media is not only a place for entertainment but also an environment for learning, creativity and even career opportunities. Digital content production has become a potential career option for the tech-savvy younger generation, as platforms like YouTube and TikTok offer opportunities to earn income and build personal brands.

There needs to be a balance between the benefits of social media platforms and protecting children from online risks.

Given their multifaceted role, social media cannot simply be viewed as a source of risk. Instead, policies should focus on maximizing the benefits that social media platforms provide while minimizing their negative impacts.

Initiatives such as the United Nations Global Digital Compact provide valuable guidance in addressing online safety, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between all stakeholders.

Key recommendations include conducting child rights impact assessments, developing effective reporting mechanisms and promoting recovery support approaches for children affected by online harms.

Platforms like Facebook and TikTok have deployed measures like content moderation and artificial intelligence (AI) technology to detect and remove harmful content. However, these efforts have not been effective enough, as exploitation and abuse continue to occur on their platforms.

Therefore, there is a need for greater accountability, including stricter enforcement of community guidelines and ensuring transparency in handling user complaints.

In addition, innovative solutions such as age-appropriate design features and parental control tools also promise great prospects in protecting users, especially children.

While protecting children from online risks is of paramount importance, it is equally important to respect their rights to access information, express themselves and participate in digital culture.

Overly restrictive measures can stifle creativity and innovation, and deprive children of the valuable opportunities that the digital age offers. Instead, children need to be equipped with the tools and knowledge to be confident and safe online, and to make the most of the benefits of the digital space.

This requires close coordination between policymakers, teachers, parents and technology companies to build a digital world where children can thrive and be safe.

While technology offers countless opportunities, only effective risk management can help us find the delicate balance between the dangers and benefits in the digital spaces children experience.