Digital Detox: Why Countries Are Banning Social Media
Asia
Politics
Social media platforms have been a place for connecting with friends, and family thus making the world a global village. Social media has also grown to be a center of information. Businesses have also moved to social media to enhance their online presence and reach a wider customer base. With more users being engaged online, social media platforms have faced criticism for lacking safeguards to prevent minors from using the platforms. The social media platforms have also faced bans in some countries. Since 2022, TikTok has been banned in Afghanistan in trying to protect young people from being misled by information on TikTok. The National Security Council of Belgium has also banned TikTok from devices owned by the government. The same scenario is also being experienced in Canada, Denmark, the European Union, and France where TikTok has been banned from government-owned devices. In Syria, Nepal, India, and Iran, TikTok has been banned for all users. In recent times, Australia has also followed the same path. Australia has banned the use of social media platforms for young people below the age of 16. This has led to argumentation among different parties as they try to depict the implications of the ban by the Australian government. According to various studies, social media has been viewed as a place that has led to more mental health problems such as anxiety, stress, and depression especially if there is no control over time spent online on the platforms. The ban was imposed on 28th November 2024, which makes it a key requirement for social media platforms to develop mechanisms to prevent young people under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms by year-end 2025. This makes Australia to join the Western countries that are currently experiencing issues among young people in accessing social media platforms. Failure by social media companies to comply with the new set of policies would attract a maximum fine of $33 million (%50 million Australian Dollars). The social media platforms would have problems in determining individuals who are aged 16 years and below. They would have to screen and verify the age using the platforms through mechanisms such as video selfies, identification documents, and cross-checking emails with other platforms. Arguments have been raised against some of the mechanisms that could be used as they could rock the elderly from using the platforms due to unfamiliarity with technological complexities. Various tech giants like Meta, Snapchat, and TikTok have raised concerns about the rushed legislation without consultations. The companies have argued that the legislation could cut out the minority who rely on social media for connection and support. It would also burden parents and teenagers as they try to use whatever means to access social media platforms. The ban has however received support from several people by arguing there is a need to protect young people and families from the harmful effects of using social media platforms. Social media companies need to start prioritizing the users and cease being only profit-oriented companies. The legislation sets precedents for other countries grappling with social media issues in regulating the said platforms. It requires a balanced approach in setting such regulations as they could dwindle the vast advantages realized by different sectors in the use of social media platforms.
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