Social Media Bans for Underage Users: A Global Perspective and the Role of Biometric Age Verification

Australia’s new law banning social media for kids under 16 has sparked a worldwide debate on age limits online. But what does it mean in practice? In this post, we’ll break down how the ban compares to other countries’ rules, and what experts and Polish public sentiment say about this. We’ll also try to discover whether biometric age verification could be a solution or just another challenge.

Australia's Controversial Move

In November 2024, the Australian Parliament passed groundbreaking legislation banning social media for children under 16. This move, touted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as crucial for protecting young people from the "harms" of social media, has been met with both praise and criticism. While parent groups have largely welcomed the ban, tech companies and digital rights advocates have raised concerns about its practicality, potential impact on privacy, and the risk of pushing children into less regulated online spaces. The ban is expected to take effect sometime in 2025, giving tech companies time to implement age-verification processes. The specifics of which platforms will be included (Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X are likely candidates) will be determined by Australia’s communications minister.

A Global View: France, Florida, and Beyond

Australia's approach is not unique, though its strict age limit is a global outlier. France has also grappled with this issue, implementing legislation requiring parental consent for children under 15 to access social media. However, reports indicate that many young users circumvent these restrictions using VPNs. In the United States, a similar law in Utah, which required parental consent for minors to use social media, was struck down by a federal judge who deemed it unconstitutional, citing First Amendment concerns. These contrasting examples underscore the legal and practical challenges inherent in enforcing age-based restrictions on online platforms. Norway has also expressed interest in following Australia's lead, and the UK has hinted at considering similar measures, though no concrete plans have been announced.

Public Opinion in Poland: A Divided Landscape

The Australian ban has sparked considerable discussion in Poland. A Research Partner survey revealed that 56% of Poles support the introduction of a similar ban in their country, while 24% oppose it, and 21% remain undecided. This demonstrates a clear division in public opinion, with a significant portion of the population believing such measures are necessary. However, experts in Poland, like Dr. Beata Rajba, a psychologist, emphasize the importance of parental guidance and digital literacy education over blanket bans. They suggest focusing on responsible screen time management and open communication about online safety, rather than simply restricting access. Surveys conducted by NASK, a Polish research institute, indicate that Polish teenagers spend a significant amount of time online, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue.

Expert Opinions: Do Bans Work, or Do They Backfire?

Experts are deeply divided on the effectiveness of social media bans. Critics argue that such bans are a "blunt instrument" that may inadvertently drive children to less moderated platforms, making it harder for parents and caregivers to monitor their online activity. They also point out that bans can hinder children's social development and access to valuable online communities, especially for marginalized youth. Furthermore, the feasibility of enforcing such bans effectively is questioned, given the ease with which tech-savvy children can bypass restrictions using VPNs or other methods. Experts like Konrad Ciesio?kiewicz argue that the focus should be on holding social media companies accountable for creating safer platforms and investing in digital literacy education for both children and parents. He highlights the lack of digital education in schools, with a significant percentage of teenagers reporting that they haven't discussed online safety with teachers.

Biometric Age Verification: A Potential Solution, Fraught with Challenges

Biometric age verification has emerged as a potential tool for enforcing age restrictions on social media. This technology uses facial recognition or other biometric data to estimate a user's age, potentially offering a more accurate and less intrusive alternative to self-reporting.

How Biometric Age Verification Works:

1. Capture: A single-frame video is recorded using the device's RGB camera.
2. Analysis: The system analyzes the facial biometrics to estimate the user's age.
3. Verification: The estimated age is compared to the platform's age requirement.

Benefits:

• Faster Onboarding: Automates age verification, streamlining user registration.
• Improved Accuracy: Reduces reliance on self-reported age.
• Enhanced Privacy: Minimizes the need to collect and store sensitive personal data (compared to traditional ID verification).

Challenges:

• Accuracy: Age estimation technology is still evolving, particularly for teenagers, and can be affected by factors like lighting, pose, and facial expression. Mean Absolute Error (MAE) for the "under 18" group can still be significant.
• Bias: Machine learning models can exhibit bias based on the data they are trained on, potentially leading to inaccurate age estimations for certain demographic groups. The lack of children's faces in training datasets is a known issue, though this is ethically positive in terms of protecting children's privacy.
• Privacy Concerns: Users may have concerns about the collection and use of their biometric data, especially by social media companies. Transparency and robust data protection measures are essential.
• Circumvention: Tech-savvy users may find ways to circumvent biometric age verification systems.

Conclusion: A Multifaceted Approach is Necessary

The debate surrounding underage social media use is complex and raises fundamental questions about online safety, freedom of expression, and parental responsibility. While outright bans may seem like a simple solution, they are unlikely to be fully effective and may have unintended consequences. A more comprehensive approach is needed, one that combines parental guidance, digital literacy education, responsible platform governance by social media companies, and the ethical development and deployment of age verification technologies like biometrics. Biometric age verification, while promising, is not a silver bullet. Its accuracy, potential biases, and privacy implications must be carefully considered.

As a biometric verification company, IDENTT is committed to developing innovative and reliable solutions that help protect children online while respecting their privacy. We believe that technology, when used responsibly, can play a vital role in creating a safer digital world for young people.