While other countries are also considering similar initiatives, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) warns that age restrictions alone are not enough to ensure children's safety online, according to information from the organization.
"While we commend efforts to protect children in the digital space, such bans can lead to new risks and even have the opposite effect," UNICEF stated.According to the fund's specialists, for many children, especially those living in isolation or on the fringes of society, social media represents an important tool for communication, learning, and self-expression. Moreover, they may find ways to circumvent the ban by using VPNs or less regulated platforms, complicating their protection.
Human Rights and Child Protection
UNICEF emphasizes that age restrictions should be part of a more comprehensive strategy aimed at protecting children from harm, respecting their right to privacy, and preventing them from entering less safe digital environments.According to the fund's representatives, legislative measures should not replace the obligation of online platforms to invest in child safety.
Call for Collaboration
The organization urges governments, regulators, and technology companies to join forces with children and their families to create a safe and inclusive digital space that respects children's rights.The United Nations Children's Fund also recommends that countries assist parents in enhancing their digital literacy, as they are faced with tasks they cannot accomplish: monitoring platforms they did not create and algorithms they are unfamiliar with.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, added: "We understand how difficult it is to find a balance between protecting children online. When social media was just starting, no one assessed its impact on human rights."
Illustration on the main page: UNICEF/R. Puje.
