UNICEF SA warns Australia’s under-16 social media ban is ‘not a silver bullet’ for child safety

While many experts have applauded Australia’s move to impose severe social media age restrictions, it may have unintended consequences.

Chief of Child Protection at UNICEF SA Makiba Yamano says it isn’t a ‘silver bullet’, as many children may be motivated to seek out alternative and potentially more harmful platforms.

RELATED: Australia boots under-16s off social media in world-first crackdown

“The age restrictions can pose different challenges. Already in the world of internet users, one third of them are children, so whether we like it or not they are already in the internet space.”

She highlights the importance of balancing regulation with investment in safety features that cater to the needs of children.

UNICEF’s approach focuses on building children’s digital literacy, parents’ capacity to navigate online safety, and tech companies’ responsibility to design safe platforms.

“[In a South African survey] already 84% of current internet-using children are already on social media weekly or more. So, these children are already in that space and if we suddenly impose this age restriction, do you think that they would take themselves out of the online space? No.

“We shouldn’t be keeping children offline completely, but help them grow up in that online space, maximising their benefit, yet making sure the online platforms are safe and age-appropriate for these children,” she says.

RELATED: Should South Africa follow Australia's social media ban for under 16s?

To listen to Makiba Yamano in conversation with CapeTalk’s Clarence Ford, click the audio player below: