Kristina Roberts
Google, one of the biggest technology companies in the world, has spoken out about a new rule that stops people under the age of 16 from using social media. According to Google, this rule will be “extremely difficult” to make work properly. The company said that while the rule sounds like a good idea, it may not actually make children safer on the internet. Instead, it might create new challenges that no one expected.
The rule is part of a new plan by the government to make the internet a safer space for young people. From December, children younger than 16 will not be allowed to use social media apps such as Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat. This move has drawn a lot of attention from people around the world because no other country has tried something this strict before. Many other countries are watching closely to see what happens when the rule begins.
Technology companies like Google, which owns YouTube, have been asked to follow this rule. However, they are worried about how it will work in real life. The new rule says that social media platforms do not need to check every person’s age with official ID documents. Instead, they are expected to use artificial intelligence (AI) and behavioural data — like what kind of videos people watch or what words they type — to guess if a user is under 16.
At first, this may sound simple. But experts say it is not. AI systems can make mistakes, and people’s online behaviour can be confusing. For example, some adults may watch cartoon videos, while some teens may behave like adults online. Because of this, the system could wrongly block some users or let underage kids slip through.
During a parliamentary hearing on online safety, Rachel Lord, who is YouTube’s senior manager of government affairs, shared Google’s concerns. She said, “The legislation will not only be extremely difficult to enforce, it also does not fulfil its promise of making kids safer online.” Her words show that while the idea of protecting children is important, the method might not be the best one.
Ms. Lord also said that the plan, though created with good intentions, could have “unintended consequences.” This means that even though the rule aims to protect children, it could cause other problems that might make the internet even more complicated to control. For example, if children are banned from social media completely, they may start finding secret ways to join — using fake names, false ages, or their parents’ accounts. This could make it harder to track what they are doing online.
Google also mentioned that enforcing such a law could be a huge task. Millions of people use social media every day, and keeping track of everyone’s age would require a lot of effort and technology. “It’s not about refusing to protect children,” said a company representative, “but about making sure that the rules we create can actually work.”
In another part of the hearing, Stef Lovett, Google’s director of government affairs, was asked if Google’s team in the United States was talking to officials about this issue. She replied that her colleagues in the U.S. were aware of the challenges that Google faces with this rule. This shows that the matter has gained attention not just locally, but internationally too.
While some people agree with the government’s move to ban children under 16 from social media, others think it’s not the best solution. Supporters believe that staying away from social media can help kids focus more on school, family, and real-life friendships. They say it can also protect them from online bullying, scams, and harmful content.
However, critics argue that banning children completely is not realistic in today’s digital world. Social media is not only about entertainment; it is also a place where young people learn, connect, and express themselves. Blocking them might take away a space where they can develop creativity and communication skills. Many parents also worry that such strict bans will make children more curious and rebellious, leading them to find unsafe ways to access these platforms.
Another big question is how the rule will affect social media companies. Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok depend on millions of users, including young ones. If many users are suddenly removed, it could change how these platforms work and how much money they make. Companies might have to invest in new systems or AI models to follow the rule, which could be expensive and time-consuming.
