LinkedIn: We're too boring for kids for social media ban

LinkedIn, a popular platform for professional networking, has recently made headlines by informing Australian lawmakers that it is too uninteresting for children. The Microsoft-owned company stated that its content does not appeal to minors, which is significant as the Australian government is considering a new law aimed at restricting social media access for individuals under the age of 16. In a submission to an Australian Senate committee, LinkedIn emphasized that its platform lacks engaging material for younger audiences. This discussion arises amidst growing concerns from parents and officials about the potential dangers of social media for children. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed that the proposed legislation is intended to protect children from the negative impacts of social media, stating that it is for 'the mums and dads' who are deeply worried about their children's safety online. The situation has garnered international attention, with other countries observing Australia's legislative efforts and some expressing interest in implementing similar measures. The Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee has provided a very short window of one day for stakeholders to comment on the proposed bill, which seeks to amend the existing Online Safety Act. The committee has indicated that it supports the bill's passage, provided that its recommendations, including the involvement of young people in the implementation process, are taken into account. However, major technology companies have voiced their dissatisfaction with the proposed law. Google, which owns YouTube, and Meta, the parent company of Instagram, have requested additional time to evaluate the legislation. Meta has argued that the current version of the bill will not effectively reduce the burden on parents regarding their children's safety on social media. They also claimed that the bill disregards evidence presented by experts in child safety and mental health, a sentiment echoed by Snapchat in its own submission. Meanwhile, X, formerly known as Twitter, has raised questions about the legality of the bill's provisions. TikTok Australia has also expressed 'significant concerns' regarding the proposed legislation, stating that it relies on an ongoing trial focused on age verification technologies. Ella Woods-Joyce, the director of public policy for TikTok Australia and New Zealand, cautioned that the rushed nature of the bill could lead to unintended consequences. In contrast, LinkedIn has taken a different approach, arguing that its platform is simply not of interest to children. The company has a minimum age requirement of 16, meaning that children cannot create accounts. They also stated that they actively remove child accounts when they are discovered. If LinkedIn can successfully argue that it should be excluded from the legislation, it could avoid the costs and disruptions associated with implementing additional age verification processes. The company stated, 'Subjecting LinkedIn’s platform to regulation under the proposed legislation would create unnecessary barriers and costs for LinkedIn’s members in Australia to undertake age assurance. ' The Australian government aims to pass this legislation before the end of the parliamentary year. However, experts have raised concerns about the bill's timeline and current structure, suggesting that it does not allow for sufficient scrutiny. Carly Kind, the privacy commissioner of Australia, expressed her worries about the potential privacy implications of a social media ban during a recent Senate hearing. Human rights commissioner Lorraine Findlay criticized the one-day window for submissions, calling it 'entirely inadequate. ' She emphasized the need for genuine consultation rather than a mere appearance of it. Despite these concerns, the Australian government's plans have sparked interest in other countries. In the UK, technology secretary Peter Kyle mentioned that similar legislation is 'on the table. ' France has already enacted a law requiring social media platforms to block access for children under 15 without parental consent, although research indicates that nearly half of users have managed to bypass this restriction using simple VPNs.