He digital world is increasingly present in the life of children and adolescents. Although the social networks They have been an integral part of everyday life, they have also been subject to many criticism due to the risks they suppose for the youngest.
However, instead of simply prohibiting children’s access to these platforms, a more transformative proposal arises: Design a virtual space specifically thought for them. This model, according to the journalist Michael Marshall of New ScientistIt is the only way to ensure that children can interact safely, healthy and educationally in a digital environment.
Criticisms of social networks are not new. Some fear that these platforms are linked to a Increased mental health disorders in adolescents, such as depression or anxiety. Others point out excess time in front of screens as a cause of concern.
However, many of these points are seen by some experts as simplists, since they do not address the bottom of the problem. Valid complaints, such as the proliferation of extremist content and the negative influence of networks in the body image of young people, do deserve to be taken into account.
In this sense, exposure to dangerous ideologies has led some young people to adopt misogynist and extremist attitudes. In addition, the lack of regulation in online advertising allows deceptive ads to spread, which puts at risk the mental and emotional health of the youngest.
Without an effective moderation of content and without a responsible approach to privacy and security, Social networks can be a fertile terrain for misinformation and negative effects on adolescents.
A key point in this debate is that the social networks we know today were not designed thinking about children. Platforms like Facebook They were born in the hands of young adults, and although some companies have tried to create adapted versions for the youngest, such as YouTube Kids or adolescent accounts in Instagramthese efforts have been insufficient. It is not just an age issue, but about the lack of an integral approach and specialized in the needs of online children.
The temptation to ban children’s access to social networks has been a common response to concerns about digital risks. However, according to New Scientist, this measure is not the solution. Children have the right to be online, to be part of the digital society in which they grow and, more importantly, to learn to navigate these spaces in a responsible way. The key is to educate them, guide them and provide them with the necessary tools so that they can enjoy social networks safely, without the dangers inherent to the platforms designed for adults.
-Instead of applying absolute restrictions, it is necessary to teach them how to handle these environments. This includes Understand the risks, how to identify harmful content and how to protect your privacy. But, to achieve this, it is not enough to let children face social networks without preparation, but must be provided with virtual spaces that adapt to their needs.
What characteristics should a social network have specifically designed for children and adolescents? According to Marshall, the key is in the creation of a safe environment, where parents and caregivers have the necessary control to supervise the interactions of minors. These platforms should allow them to interact with their friends, share content and be part of a digital community, but under a strict security framework.
The content moderation It must be a priority. For the little ones, each publication could be reviewed before being published, guaranteeing that inappropriate or harmful content is not disseminated. In addition, they could Establish limits in the number of times children can publish, which would teach them to use the platform with responsibility. An important aspect is the total absence of advertising, which would prevent children from being exposed to directed ads that could influence their behavior or their perception of the world.
The model proposed by Marshall has a parallel on British children’s television, which is characterized by offer appropriate content for children without resorting to advertising. CBeebiesthe BBC children’s channel, is an example of how a safe and educational space can be created for the little ones, where families trust that the content is appropriate for their children. This same principle should be applied to social networks: Create platforms that are not only safe, but also offer content that foster the emotional, intellectual and social development of children.
The creation of these specialized social networks should not fall on the large technology companies for profit. According to Marshall, these companies are not motivated to create systems that prioritize child welfare, since their main objective remains to generate income. Instead, The initiative should come from non -profit organizations, which can focus on the interests of younger users and their protection.
Organizations such as Mozilla Foundation o to Wikimedia Foundationknown for their work in the development of open source projects and their ethical approaches, could be allied in the creation of these platforms. However, he acknowledges that the most prominent option would be the BBC, an institution with a long career in the creation of children’s content and that has already demonstrated its ability to innovate technologically. “The BBC has the experience, knowledge and resources necessary to lead this initiative.”
Children’s access to social networks should not be a matter of prohibition, but of education and adaptation. To New Scientistif you want young people to grow in a healthy and safe digital environment, it is necessary to design platforms specifically designed for them, to offer them a safe space to interact and develop.
This change will only be possible if commercial interests are set aside and the well -being of children is first. According to MEDO, technology must be a tool for its growth, not a threat to your well -being.
