Issue:

• Social media / social networking is a rapidly evolving medium for young people to connect, express and exchange content of all kinds with each other. It has created a new cultural paradigm that propels technology and businesses, while at the same time altering how people interact. Social media / SNS has both favorable and unfavorable consequences as a tool.

• The responsibility to protect children accessing social networks / social media can be assigned to a range of parties including policymakers, social media companies, educators and subsequently parents and children themselves.

• Guidance is required for age-appropriate exposure and use – but who is responsible to protect our youth and up to what age?

Position:

• As social media / SNS becomes integral and addictive to adolescent life, children struggle to develop their digital identity while striving for privacy. Online regulations offer limited privacy protection for ages up to 13 - this young age does not reflect the age of adulthood. Minors require protection from adult social media, content and personal data collection / disclosure.

• Government should intervene and provide policies and stipulations regarding the enforcement of age restrictions up to a minimum of 18 years, thus mandating safer sites for children.

Arguments for my position

Arguments against my position