The Consumers’ Association investigated what options the apps offer parents and children to make the platforms a safe environment. The association concluded that the platforms take too little account of children’s vulnerability and privacy and that the settings are not child-friendly.
For example, only Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube set young users’ profiles to private by default. Only two social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram, make it possible to monitor screen time and set a maximum time limit. Parental controls are only possible on TikTok and YouTube.
Snapchat and TikTok go too far
Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok create profiles of young users and tailor content and advertisements to personal characteristics. Snapchat and TikTok go too far in this regard, according to the Consumers’ Association. These apps also base their advertisements on children’s browsing behaviour and location.
Another objection raised by the association is that, with half of the apps, it is difficult to delete data when closing an account. On Snapchat, Instagram and Telegram, this must be done via the website. With TikTok, it is unclear whether the service actually deletes all personal data.
Not safe
Sandra Molenaar, director of the Consumers’ Association, does not believe that children should stop using social media: “That is not the solution. But the fact is that, in their current form, the platforms do not provide a safe environment for children. That must change. And we cannot leave this to tech companies, because time and again they show that they are unable to do so. Therefore, additional rules are needed to protect children better. Children’s interests must already be taken into account when the apps are designed. This is also described in the Code for Children’s Rights, which we have expressed our support for.”
Support and guide young people
“Because most apps do not have their safety measures for children and young people in order, it is important that they are supported and guided by teachers and parents,” says Peter Nikken of the Netherlands Youth Institute. “So talk to them about what they do on social media and how they share their information with others. Ask what they think about it, what they consider important and where they could use support.”
According to Nikken, it is also important to properly guide children and young people with intellectual disabilities or psychosocial problems. “They too consider it important to have contact with others via social media. But for them, it is extra difficult to assess whether they are dealing with trustworthy people.”