The global debate on protecting children online is expanding beyond age-based restrictions to examine how social media platforms are designed.
While countries including Australia have introduced or proposed restrictions on children’s access to social media, experts, policymakers, technology companies and child safety advocates are increasingly questioning whether regulating who can use these platforms is enough, or whether governments should also regulate the addictive features built into them.
The discussion has gained momentum after evidence suggested that age restrictions alone are difficult to enforce, prompting some governments to consider stronger platform accountability alongside child safety measures.
Age Limits Alone May Not Be Enough
Most major social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook, already require users to be at least 13 years old under their terms of service. However, these limits are widely bypassed, with many children creating accounts using false birth dates or parents’ devices.
Australia offers a striking case study. Three months after its under-16 social media ban came into force, a University of Newcastle study found that more than 85% of children surveyed were still using social media, prompting the government to strengthen enforcement rather than abandon the policy.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged that platforms had done the “bare minimum”, while Communications Minister Anika Wells announced tougher penalties and greater investigative powers for the eSafety Commissioner to ensure companies, rather than children or parents, are held accountable.
At the same time, researchers argue that the real challenge lies not only in verifying users’ ages but also in redesigning platforms that are largely built for adult engagement. Features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, algorithm-driven recommendations and constant notifications are designed to maximise screen time, making them especially compelling for younger users.
This has led to growing calls for a “safety by design” approach, where digital products are built with children’s wellbeing in mind from the outset. Several countries have already moved in this direction. The United Kingdom’s Age Appropriate Design Code requires online services likely to be accessed by children to prioritise their privacy and safety by default, while platforms such as YouTube Kids and Messenger Kids have been created with age-appropriate content, stronger parental controls and reduced data collection.
These initiatives reflect a broader shift towards adapting digital spaces for children instead of simply keeping children away from them.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Protecting children online should not become a choice between banning access and preserving digital freedom. Children deserve online spaces that are designed with their wellbeing, privacy and healthy development at their core. Age verification can be one part of the solution, but meaningful change also requires technology companies to rethink engagement-driven designs that encourage excessive use.
Governments, educators, parents, industry and young people must work together to create digital environments that are safe without excluding children from the opportunities the internet offers. Should social media platforms be redesigned specifically for younger users instead of relying mainly on age restrictions, or is a combination of both the best path forward?
