No social media under 16? Proposal causes debate

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's proposal to ban social media for users under a certain age has ignited a debate about the use of social media, particularly among younger individuals. Eleonora Benecchi, lecturer and researcher at USI Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society, commented on the news in an interview on RSI "Telegiornale".

The topic of banning social media use for children under the age of 14 (or even 16) is a recurring issue that sparks ongoing debate. Recently, Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has proposed a law aimed at restricting access to social platforms for young people. While we await the outcome of the proposal, Professor Eleonora Benecchi, a lecturer and researcher at USI Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society, spoke out on the subject, attempting to shed light on the matter in an interview broadcast during RSI "Telegiornale".

"First and foremost, the proposed reform also includes plans by the Australian government to experiment with age verification technologies, such as the uploading of personal documents and the use of biometric technologies for face scanning," says Eleonora Benecchi, "but these technologies present many problems, especially in terms of privacy, and this must be taken into account since we are talking about minors." A technologically reinforced ban such as the one proposed could have significant consequences in terms of the exposure of minors' private data online.

Another important issue is the conflict between physical reality, encompassing real experiences and relationships, and social media, which often involves artificial or superficial experiences and relationships. "It's important to overcome the perception that the experiences young people have on social media are less valuable than their experiences in the physical world. Our research shows that young people find social media valuable for connecting with others, staying informed, and participating in society. Prohibiting access to social media for young people could hinder the development of these important skills." comments Professor Benecchi.

When discussing the amount of time that social media consumes and its impact on activities in the physical world, it's important to note that it's actually time spent on other media, such as radio and newspapers, that is being reduced. For instance, in Switzerland, the time young people spend with friends or engaging in sports has not decreased over the past 10 years despite the rise of social media. "Implementing a ban like this sends a message to young people and families that they have no control over their use of social media. It overlooks the fact that while young people are exposed to risks online, they have also developed skills to navigate negative and complex situations."

With a law similar to the one envisaged in Australia, the message being conveyed is, therefore, not one of balancing online and offline experiences, a balance that is instead fundamental in today's society. "It's not just about being on social media; it's about providing young people with other opportunities and options. It's important that social media is not the only space available to them. It's perfectly fine if it's just one of the many spaces they can choose from," concludes Eleonora Benecchi.

Watch the full interview at this link (Italian only).