In practice, it will be up to social media platforms to ensure that users are of the required age. “The responsibility will not fall on parents or young people. There will be no sanctions for users”he clarified.
What are the most popular social networks in Belgium?
Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, said it would enforce “any age restrictions” the Australian government “wishes to introduce”. The practical modalities and the manner in which control of this ban will be exercised must still be the subject of discussion. This proposal will be submitted to parliament at the end of November and is expected to come into force later next year.
However, such a measure is not about to see the light of day in Brussels and Wallonia. “A pure and simple ban would have the potential side effect of encouraging young people to transgress,” explains Valérie Lescrenier, Minister in charge of Youth Aid in the government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. “I therefore plead for a policy of support and awareness of young people.”
“We must ensure that teenagers develop their critical thinking by equipping them in the fairest way and making them responsible for the use of social networks. Many youth organizations exist to ensure this mission, including the Action Médias organization Young people, the non-profit organization For’J, etc. The objective is to continue calls for projects to multiply this type of structure.adds the minister.
In Flanders, Vooruit and the CD&V are positioning themselves in favor of the Australian measure. “It is our duty to protect young people from misinformation and hatred on social networks. Young people are not sufficiently equipped to filter all content“, indicates the president of Vooruit Conner Rousseau to our colleagues from Laatste Nieuws.
WHO warns: increasingly problematic use of social networks among young Europeans
For its part, the CD&V declares that it is considering raising the minimum age for using social networks in Flanders as well. This is currently limited to 13 years old. “We need to educate young people about the media, but it’s not normal to be on TikTok or Instagram at thirteen or fourteen.”indicates a party spokesperson to our colleagues.
On the side of the N-VA, on the other hand, it is nothing. “This is neither realistic nor desirable.” declared spokesperson Philippe Kerckaert to our colleagues. “We are in favor of restricting the use of social media for young people, but it is preferable to make tools available to parents for this purpose.
The text notably plans to impose fines of up to 5% of their annual turnover on technology giants in the event of non-compliance with their obligations in the fight against disinformation. Elon Musk’s social network, X, is also engaged in a legal battle with the Australian internet regulator over its moderation of violent publications.
