Multi-pronged strategy can make children safer online

ANEW Australian law mandates social media platforms to verify users’ age and restrict access for those under 16. The aim is to safeguard children by delaying their entry into social media, a move supported by proponents who argue that it would reduce harm and lessen parental burdens.

However, critics view this as a ‘patchwork’ approach, saying policing by guardians is more effective than government-imposed rules as they are better positioned to manage their children's online presence.

Further, the law fails to tackle the fundamental issue of ensuring that social media companies properly remove harmful content. Also, concerns about enforcement arise as the law leaves age verification methods open-ended, potentially relying on government documents or technologies like facial scanning or behavioural tracking, which raise privacy issues.

The Covid-19 pandemic led to an increased screen time among children, leading to behavioural and health issues and delinquency, as highlighted by various studies. UNESCO's 2023 report calls for a global school ban on smartphones, citing research that shows their mere presence can disrupt learning and that children take up to 20 minutes to regain focus after engaging with non-academic content.

The US Surgeon General’s 2023 advisory warns that social media can harm adolescent brain development, affecting emotional regulation and impulse control. It proposes warning labels on platforms, similar to those for cigarettes. The algorithm-driven content of social media fosters a form of digital addiction. As in drug problems, effective regulation should focus on supply-side measures as controlling individual behaviour (demand-side) is challenging.

In 2022, India reported 32 per cent increase in cybercrime against children with 1,823 cases, including cyber pornography (1,171 cases) and cyberstalking (158). Offline crimes against children also saw a worrying increase, with over 1,62,000 cases reported, up by nearly nine per cent from the previous year. This highlights a broader, concerning trend of rising crime against children that is not solely tied to the Internet. The overall surge in both online and offline crimes calls for a comprehensive approach to child protection across all environments. Similarly, in the UK, a rise in cybercrime among children aged 10-16 shows that some children, often unknowingly, are engaging in illegal activities, underscoring the need for both preventive and educational measures.

The dilemma centres on whether to ban social media for children or impose stricter regulations on platforms.

An alternative to a ban on platforms involves implementing robust age verification for content moderation, which could be enforced at specific barriers to restrict access to harmful content. Restricting children’s Internet access entirely may seem like a protective measure, but it is impractical in today’s digital age. Instead, the focus should be on promoting safe online practices, digital literacy and tools that foster responsible Internet use that would let children access general features while saving them from harmful content, offering a more targeted and feasible solution.

A strong parallel exists in the case of a rise in cybercrime across all sectors, involving adults and businesses. Banning specific websites is a short-term fix that overlooks the broader issues, such as digital literacy, cybersecurity awareness and effective online monitoring. A comprehensive solution is necessary to target its root causes, not just limit access to the Internet.

Implementing such a ban for those under 16 in India will face major challenges due to the country's large population and technological diversity, making enforcement difficult. Teenagers could bypass such bans using VPNs, fake credentials, proxy websites or lesser-known platforms.

In the Indian context, the 2020 report from the Singapore-based DQ Institute serves as a crucial resource for enhancing child online safety, with its survey covering 63 per cent of the global population. This think tank has established standards for digital intelligence to ensure safety, empowerment and wellbeing. Its Child Online Safety Index (COSI) evaluates digital safety across six key areas: cyber risk, disciplined digital use, digital competency, guidance and education, social infrastructure and connectivity.

India ranks highly in several categories, securing the second place in tackling cyber risk, third in disciplined digital use, first in digital competency and second in guidance and education. India also tops the rankings for its children’s ability to cope with cyberbullying, highlighting their resilience in handling online threats.

While India lags in connectivity, its strong performance in managing cyber risks and online safety education provides a window of opportunity to enhance its COSI as connectivity improves, without resorting to bans. India’s children excel in online safety education, scoring 68/100 — 30 per cent higher than the global average of 52/100.

Interestingly, lower-income countries tend to score better in online safety education (55/100 on average) than high-income nations (51/100 on average), emphasising the crucial role of education in helping children navigate online dangers. However, the data is biased towards public schools, so India must focus on improving online safety education in government schools and rural areas.

Despite efforts to limit children's screen time, modern life offers fewer opportunities for real-world experiences. Playgrounds are rare, academic pressures high and social structures more impersonal due to nuclear families. This trend leaves children valuing their devices for connection. Limiting technology alone won't restore the outdoor play and socialisation earlier generations enjoyed, unless broader societal issues are addressed.

A three-pronged strategy can enhance children's online protection. First, tech companies should prioritise child safety in their platform designs. Second, their collaboration with schools and government-backed cyberbullying prevention programmes is vital. Lastly, parents must actively monitor and reduce their children's exposure to cyber risks. The police must also fulfil their duty by promptly addressing cybercrime cases involving children, ensuring accountability and justice in the digital realm.

In an increasingly technological world, society must ensure safe spaces for children to grow, learn and thrive, both online and offline.