LinkedIn, the career networking platform owned by Microsoft, recently made headlines by communicating to Australian lawmakers that it is effectively too boring for younger audiences to be considered as a candidate for a proposed social media ban targeted at under-16 users. In a submission to an Australian Senate committee, LinkedIn articulated that its platform does not contain content that would be deemed interesting or appealing to minors.
The Australian government is currently gearing up to introduce what it describes as “world-leading” legislation aimed at restricting children’s access to various social media platforms. This initiative has been triggered by growing concerns regarding the adverse effects of social media on the mental health and overall wellbeing of children. Contrarily, major players in the social media landscape such as Meta (which owns Facebook and Instagram), Google (the parent company of YouTube), Snapchat’s owner Snap Inc, and TikTok have all raised objections to the proposed law in their submissions to the legislative committee.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been vocal in his support for the proposed legislation, stating that it seeks to alleviate the concerns of parents who are understandably worried about their children’s safety online. The Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee has offered stakeholders only a single day to voice their opinions regarding the bill, which is intended to amend the existing Online Safety Act. Following consultations, the committee has suggested that the bill should pass, contingent on its recommendations being taken into account, which include the necessity for youth engagement during the implementation phase.
Among the significant tech firms contesting the bill, Meta emphasized that the current form of legislation might not achieve its intended purpose of easing parental burdens related to online child safety management. They argued that the bill overlooks critical evidence provided by mental health and child safety experts, a sentiment echoed by Snapchat in its own feedback. Meanwhile, X, previously known as Twitter, raised legal concerns about the proposals contained within the bill. TikTok’s Australian team also expressed their reservations, stating that the bill, as it stands, raises numerous issues due to its reliance on a trial for age verification that is still underway.
Interestingly, LinkedIn’s perspective diverged from the other platforms. The company argued that given its age minimum requirement of 16, children cannot actually access the site, and any accounts found to belong to users below this threshold are routinely removed. By positing that LinkedIn is irrelevant to children, the corporation aims to elude the cumbersome regulatory requirements and expenses related to age verification processes that may arise should the law be enacted.
However, while LinkedIn seeks exemption from the proposed law, the Australian administration aims for rapid implementation of the legislation before the current parliamentary calendar concludes. Critics, including experts in the field, have noted that the timeline and existing format of the bill do not allow for thorough examination. The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Carly Kind, took to LinkedIn to voice concerns regarding the potential privacy ramifications of a ban on social media, while Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Findlay criticized the limited window for submissions, labeling it as “entirely inadequate”. She emphasized the need for genuine consultation rather than a mere semblance of it.
Despite the skepticism surrounding the effectiveness and implications of the proposed ban, the Australian government’s initiative has drawn attention beyond its borders. UK technology secretary Peter Kyle hinted at the possibility of introducing similar legislation in the United Kingdom, demonstrating that Australia’s legislative efforts might have wider ramifications and inspire other nations to reconsider their own policies regarding child safety on social media platforms. Overall, these discussions highlight the complexities surrounding social media regulations, youth interaction, and the responsibilities of various stakeholders in safeguarding children’s online experiences.
