Save the Children Australia said today that while the Federal Government's desire to keep children and young people safe online was welcome, the focus should be on mechanisms to hold social media corporations to account, and responses that would address root causes of harm.
The government's bill, expected to be introduced in Parliament this week, proposes to prohibit social media access for anyone under the age of 16, and has quickly gained widespread political support, whilst also raising concern from experts, including the e-Safety Commissioner.
Save the Children Australia's national delivery arm, 54 reasons, consulted with its advisory group of young people to understand their social media use and reactions to the proposed ban. The young advisors acknowledge that while online spaces, including social media, can pose risks, a blanket ban for under-16s is unlikely to have the desired effect.
"Cutting off access to social media will not only limit people's positive interactions, but ricochet negativity into more harmful pathways," said a 54 reasons Young Advisor.
Another Young Advisor also says about the proposed ban, "They're not looking at the big picture, blocking social media isn't going to do anything to help much. It's like putting a band aid on a gunshot wound."
The internet is integral to children's and young people's lives and will become more so throughout their lifetimes. For so many kids, technology is a way to connect, learn and 'find their tribe'.
This has been the case for Save the Children Australia's Youth Advisor, Dante Casanova. The 22-year-old, said a ban, if effective, would rip away the lifelines to friends, communities and mental health resources millions of Australian kids rely on. Another likely outcome, they say, is that for many kids the law will be ineffective, and only increase stigma and isolation if they encounter harm.
"From speaking to children and young people, and my own experiences, I can safely say that if a social media ban is put in place for under 16s, they are still likely to access it, with less regulation and more shame around asking for help if they need it," they say.
Save the Children Australia is part of a 140-strong group, including experts, academics, mental health, legal and child rights organisations, that signed an open letter to the NSW and SA Premiers and the Prime Minister, urging a shift from blanket bans to a nuanced, multi-faceted response.
Save the Children Australia CEO Mat Tinkler says that rather than lock children and young people out of online spaces, the government needs to continue focusing its energies on demanding accountability from social media giants to make their platforms safer by design, including through mechanisms like the recently announced plan to introduce a Digital Duty of Care Bill.
"As a parent, I hold the same concerns that many parents do about the potential harms that our children face online. I welcome the Government's efforts to try and keep our kids safer online and drive accountability home to social media giants. But I also trust the experts and the views of children and young people themselves when they are raising serious concerns about this proposed solution," says Mr Tinkler.
"Our research, as well as findings from other experts, show that banning access doesn't work. Young people often find alternative ways to connect online, where they may end up in even less safe spaces and feel too ashamed or afraid to seek help if something goes wrong.
"We are asking the government to reconsider this legislative approach and instead use the momentum of this moment to hold the social media giants to account, to demand that they embed safety into their platforms rather than adding at as an afterthought, and to work closely with experts and children and young people themselves to make online spaces safer, as opposed to off-limits."
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child advocates for national policies that ensure safe access to the online environment, allowing children and young people to benefit from digital engagement.
One 54 reasons Young Advisor pointed to education as key to improving safety:
"Yes, social media can harm children through cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and mental health issues. Instead of bans, we should focus on education about online safety, promote digital literacy, and create supportive online environments. Implementing content filters and encouraging open conversations between parents and kids can also help."
This view aligns with research released in September by Save the Children and Western Sydney University, which highlighted children's calls for accessible, targeted online safety education for themselves and their caregivers.
The report, 'Protecting Children from Online Grooming', written by the Young & Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University, consulted with about 600 young people aged 8 to 18 across several countries, including Australia. The study revealed that children often rely on their own instincts rather than trusted adults when navigating online risks, emphasising the need for accessible education and proactive safety measures.
Globally, Save the Children International has also launched a new set of social media and online guidelines to help support parents.
