What’s at stake when kids lie about their age on social media?
Issue #57
Imagine a 12-year-old walking into a liquor store to buy a case of beer. The dubious clerk asks the 12-year-old to prove that they are legal drinking age. The 12-year-old assures the clerk that they are legal, and even says the year they were born: 1979. Satisfied after hearing that birth year, the clerk completes the transaction and sends the child on their way, booze in hand. Sounds absurd, right?
Luckily, that’s not the way liquor stores operate, but that is the way that age verification works on the big social media platforms. It’s pretty much an honor system that keeps children off of adult platforms, and according to a new report from Ofcom in the United Kingdom, one third of children lie about their age when signing up.
If you’re a parent with young children, this likely doesn’t surprise you. Most of us probably didn’t need a report to tell us that there are lots of young kids using adults platforms. In fact, it’s pretty common for parents to help their children sign up for these sites. I think that’s because a lot of us accept that technology is a big part of daily life—and most parents I know see the benefits of tech for kids.
And, according to the same Ofcom report, the parents who helped their kids sign up for social media said that they wanted to help kids learn to manage the risks themselves as they age. We’re searching for ways to introduce our children to the digital world, but when it comes to social media, it can feel like you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. (And if we try to keep our kids away from technology entirely, they will find a way to explore it anyways. Kids are nothing if not resourceful.)
But these big social platforms aren’t learning platforms. They are not designed from to help children learn to navigate the online world—and they contain features that are inappropriate or downright dangerous for kids. Any environment where one quarter of kids 9-17 have reported having a sexually explicit interaction with someone older is definitely not an ideal environment to learn about the digital world.
Clearly, kids and parents need a better option. That’s one of the reasons I created Kinzoo in the first place; I wanted to give my own kids a better, safer introduction to technology. One that gave them all the positive aspects of the digital world—without the negatives. It’s true that the big social media platforms aren’t ideal for kids, but there are alternatives. There are companies out there building tech from the ground up to keep kids safe. There are platforms that will safely connect them with loved ones, spur their creativity and help them cultivate new skills and passions.
It would be wonderful if regulators stepped in and helped to, well, regulate these platforms a little more. There are some signs of hope in the European Union and California, but I’m not holding my breath for massive changes any time soon. The onus will likely continue to be on parents. But the good news is that there are lots of products and resources that we can turn to. More and more, there are people and companies creating technology that’s meant to be a force for good for our families—and that’s cause for a bit of optimism.
A deeper dive
Here are a few helpful resources in case you want to really dig into today's topic:
In an article about the new report from Ofcam, TechCrunch noted that many parents think of social media and gaming as “less risky,” whereas gambling and pornography are perceived as “more risky.” Of course, gambling and pornographic content are inappropriate for kids, but it’s becoming increasingly clear that social media poses risks to children in a different way.
The California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act is meant to be a step to protect children and their privacy online. It outlines provisions for rigorous age verification for certain online platforms—but that in and of itself could be a challenge to our privacy. Some critics have pointed out that requiring facial scans or government issued ID to verify age could have unintended consequences. At the end of the day, these are complex issues and have to be approached with thoughtfulness and balance.
TL;DR
Too long; didn't read. It shouldn't be a full-time job to keep up on industry news, so here is a mercifully quick summary of some other notable developments:
When does a child need a phone? It’s one of those classic parenting conundrums. The short answer I always give is that “it depends.” There are a lot of factors to consider, and this guide from the Washington Post does a good job of laying out the different considerations.
Gaming is one of the most popular digital pastimes for kids. Along with that rise in popularity, there’s a corresponding rise in cybercrime. Experts warn that threats can lurk in “cheat codes, microtransactions and messages from fellow players.” If your kids are gaming enthusiasts, it’s probably a good idea to have a conversation—and keep a close eye on their activity.
And lastly
Here are a few more pieces of original writing from me and my team—just in case you're keen for more:
My team recently had the chance to sit down with cybersecurity expert Fareedah Shaheed. She has an awesome and refreshing approach to keeping kids safe online, and she shared her insights in our ongoing interview series. Check out the full article here.
Story building apps can be an amazing way for kids to explore their creativity, but parents often have questions about their safety. My team put together this guide to Gacha Life to explore the pros and cons of the platform.