A new report from the Internet Foundation shows divided opinions on the government's proposal for a 15-year age limit on social media. Many parents see benefits while children are critical. Måns Jonasson points to practical and democratic challenges.
Sweden plans to introduce a 15-year age limit for social media according to the government's investigator. The Internet Foundation report confirms that 6 out of 10 parents see benefits from the proposal. Among children aged 8 to 19, only 2 out of 10 see benefits. 11-year-old Elliot and 12-year-old Erika, interviewed by SVT, believe younger users will find ways around the limit and call 15 years an exaggeration. Måns Jonasson from the Internet Foundation emphasizes that social media is teenagers' everyday channel for news and contact. He warns that an age limit requires ID verification for all users. – One thing we forget is that an age limit would mean we all have to verify ourselves to use these services, he says.
