We must protect young people from online harms | Letters

"The scale of harmful content in online worlds is deeply concerning. The author has been brave in shining a light on her experiences, and many young people today are exposed to misogyny and hatred in ways that are difficult for those who are not digital natives to fully understand."

"A social media ban for under-16s, while well-intentioned, cannot fix the underlying problem that platforms are designed in ways that allow misogyny, harassment and hate to spread unchecked, often pushing such content towards users who have never sought it out."

"If an age limit is introduced, it must form part of a wider package of measures, including stronger regulation, clear expectations around platform design, transparency about algorithms, and meaningful accountability when platforms fail to protect their users."

A 15-year-old girl's account of online misogyny highlights serious concerns about harmful content young people encounter on social media daily. While the online world presents genuine risks through unregulated hate and harassment, it simultaneously provides valuable connection, creativity, and support for many young people. Simple age restrictions cannot address the fundamental problem: platforms are designed to amplify misogyny and harmful content to users who never sought it. Effective solutions require stronger platform regulation, transparent algorithms, meaningful accountability, and inclusion of young people's voices in policy discussions. Any protective measures must preserve access to positive online spaces while fundamentally changing how platforms operate.

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