Social media - legal minimum age?

[AJL308]

The other day my other half told me about the horrific video of the chap who shot himself live on Facebook a few weeks back. I inadvertently saw it (at a distance) today, unfortunately. This is apparently being shared unannounced on FB, ttter, Tik-Tok and suchlike and I know several people who have said that it's been seen by very young children who have been extremely upset by it.

It is clearly obvious that lots and lots of people are sick fks who are simply not responsible enough to be in charge of an electronic device and are enabling stuff like this to be seen by by people who shouldn't or don't wish to see it. There is a lot of potentially deeply damaging material out there that is being seen by young children. This is on top of the other stresses placed on children through social media such as bullying.

Is it time for the law to step in and impose a minimum age below which you cannot have an account on Fabebook, Twitter, etc? Personally I think it is. Sixteen seems like a reasonable limit to impose.

Also, surely it's time to hold the platforms themselves liable for disturbing or illegal material which is created or published via their services?

[Bill]

Most sites say 13, but some parents are fkwits.

[whitesocks]

A better idea, would be to take an I.Q test before being allowed on Social Media.

If Twitter shut down, I wouldn't shed any tears.

Edited by whitesocks on Saturday 19th September 16:09

[scottyp123]

If kids have seen it then I diagnose bad parenting.

[BlackLabel]

Most of the major social media services are age restricted.



I think social media would be a lot better if identities of users were verified - it would cut down on things like grooming, bullying, fake news etc however I’m not sure I’d want the social media companies having such data.

However, how far do we take this? Send in copies of passports and bank statements when joining up to pistonheads?

[Jamescrs]

Some parents don't care what their kids are up to and as long as they are quiet it's ok.

My eldest is 8 and is asking for access to TikTok and Facebook claiming her friends have it, I don't know if her friends do or not but there's no way in hell my kid is getting any access to Social media for a good few years yet. As a big part of my job I see the very worst of what is on Social Media so I am acutely aware of what is out there and i'll shield her from it as long as I can.

I have seen the video of the guy who shoots himself and that's quite mild compared to a lot of the material I have seen.

To answer the original question there is no "legal" minimum age as such, companies write minimum ages into their terms and conditions but kids simply alter their DOB when signing up.

[The Moose]

Bill said:

Most sites say 13, but some parents are fkwits.

This is the problem.

[technodup]

AJL308 said:

Is it time for the law to step in and impose a minimum age below which you cannot have an account on Fabebook, Twitter, etc? Personally I think it is. Sixteen seems like a reasonable limit to impose.

As if that would make any difference. Kids are going to use friends/big brother's/mum's login/account/device, it'll be shared one way or another. All bans do is make it illicit and more attractive. Plus how are you going to stop it being shared by means other than social media, email, dropbox etc?

I'm 42 and found hedge porn and saw snuff movies on VHS 30 years ago so fk knows how you're going to stop kids seeing it in today's world.

[Ilovejapcrap]

I’m amazed how many different platforms people go on that are basically the same.

I use instergtam to look what shiny bikes manufacturers are making and what’s app as it’s a better way of texting, plus pistonheads to get middle aged men’s take on life, that’s enough for me.

[glazbagun]

Maybe legislating that any post on any social media must be five hundred words minimum or face a month in jail would be better. (he says. In 25)

[frisbee]

It'll just be an excuse for the government to track everyone's use of everything.

[smifffymoto]

I watched ‘A social dilemma’ on Netflix,that scared the hell out of me.Kids are well fked.

[Murph7355]

The Moose said:

Bill said:

Most sites say 13, but some parents are fkwits.

This is the problem.

Indeed.

[Funkmachine7]

BlackLabel said:

Most of the major social media services are age restricted.



I think social media would be a lot better if identities of users were verified - it would cut down on things like grooming, bullying, fake news etc however I’m not sure I’d want the social media companies having such data.

However, how far do we take this? Send in copies of passports and bank statements when joining up to pistonheads?

Tumblr 13!?

I remember just how much hardcore porn that place was covered in not so long ago.

Reddit 13? there lots of porn subreddits.

[Kiribati268]

Funkmachine7 said:

Tumblr 13!?

I remember just how much hardcore porn that place was covered in not so long ago.

Reddit 13? there lots of porn subreddits.

Don't forget that it doesn't matter what age they set the TOC as, it's the box that the user ticks when they sign up.

If companies hid in the T&Cs that you must be of pension age to enlist, would you notice? No.

A 10 year old can tick any box they want without recourse. The internet is a very good resource, but there is lots that's harmful!

[anonymous-user]

Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule Sets it at 13 for the US.

[glazbagun]

Funkmachine7 said:

Tumblr 13!?

I remember just how much hardcore porn that place was covered in not so long ago.

Reddit 13? there lots of porn subreddits.

It's OK, those subreddits ask you to tick a box to say you're eighteen. I can only guess that hedge porn has gone the way of the horse and cart these days.

[A Winner Is You]

Kiribati268 said:

Don't forget that it doesn't matter what age they set the TOC as, it's the box that the user ticks when they sign up.

If companies hid in the T&Cs that you must be of pension age to enlist, would you notice? No.

A 10 year old can tick any box they want without recourse. The internet is a very good resource, but there is lots that's harmful!

Tumblr banned porn a while ago, hence their usage tanked as it was pretty much just Rule 34 artists and gender fluid otherkin bronies using it anyway. Don't ask me how I know these terms.

[AJL308]

smifffymoto said:

I watched ‘A social dilemma’ on Netflix,that scared the hell out of me.Kids are well fked.

Yes, me too. I've taken the FB icon off my phone screen now so that if I want to use it I have to find it in my phone. To be honest I think it's the first stage of weening myself off it.

[V8 Stang]

When i was at school many years ago (would be around 14+ years ago) these sort of video's were sent around (in much poorer quality) via text.

I can remember one of a guy having his head sawn off.


Not sure what having a minimum age will achieve, they will just sign up with a fake age.