A social media ban for under-16s would not currently be a proportionate, effective, or enforceable way to protect children’s rights, according to the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland.
A social media ban for under-16s would not currently be a proportionate, effective, or enforceable way to protect children’s rights, according to the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland.
Commissioner Nicola Killean argues that the available evidence does not show a blanket ban would make children safer online, and may inadvertently push children to less regulated or riskier parts of the internet. She wants safeguards to be strengthened, and platforms to take more accountability in preventing harm.
She has responded to the UK Government’s Growing Up In The Online World’s national consultation, which looks at measures including a minimum age for children to access social media.
The Commissioner’s office undertook a children’s rights impact assessment (CRIA) which considers how the UK Government’s proposals might affect the rights of children and young people, both positively and negatively. The CRIA considered the international rights framework and current published evidence.
The office also worked with their Young Advisors – a group of children aged 12-17 from all over Scotland – to inform their response.