In today’s digital age, our children’s environment is vastly different to that of only a decade ago. They are exposed to a complex web of digital content, platforms and interactions. This presents both opportunities and threats. Thus, the age-old idea of the social contract emphasising the balance between individual rights and societal duties is worthy of reexamination.
Traditional social contract theorists, such as Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Kant, focused mainly on the relationship between the state and the individual. Their interpretations of human existence in a natural state varied; while some viewed it as “brutish and short,” others believed it to be “peaceful and free.” The consensus, however, was that an organized society in the form of a state was necessary to ensure some semblance of order. The digital age, which involves a multitude of stakeholders, including governments, corporations, individuals and diverse communities, presents complexities that these philosophers could never have imagined.
The protection of children in this new realm calls for a nuanced equilibrium between individual rights and societal responsibilities. While it is crucial to afford children autonomy to explore and learn from the internet’s vast resources, their mental, emotional and physical safety online must be a top priority. The theories of Locke, who emphasised natural rights and Kant, who proposed the concept of moral autonomy, lend support to modern interpretations of children’s access to digital media being a right, but with the necessary precautions.
Digital platform and service providers, the behemoths of our age, play a critical role. While primarily profit-driven, these entities gradually acknowledge and act upon their social responsibilities. As significant players with considerable societal influence, they are no longer just business entities in the eyes of the modern social contract. Just as governments are expected to protect their citizens, these corporations are responsible for ensuring their platforms’ safety, particularly for their most vulnerable users, such as children. They should take proactive steps and create robust systems to prevent cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content and other digital threats.
This brings us to the state and the global community, which hold the responsibility of creating, revising and enforcing appropriate regulations that define the boundaries of digital engagement for children. Whilst prioritising child protection, it is important to avoid hampering innovation and accessibility. The global nature of the digital realm means that collaborative efforts are key.
Furthermore, regulations and corporate responsibility, although imperative, cannot alone address challenges in the modern social contract of the digital age. Instead, it is a shared responsibility with families, educators and communities also playing vital roles. It is imperative to provide children with the requisite knowledge and tools to identify potential threats, comprehend the importance of privacy, and cultivate digital literacy.
Ultimately, the digital age’s social contract represents a shared endeavour that goes beyond established conventions. While our ancient philosophers established the groundwork, it is our obligation to adapt their ideologies to the current digital landscape. It is imperative to regularly review and amend this agreement in order to maintain a secure and enhancing digital space for our children.
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Preteen’s risk and opportunity as media audiences.
The UK Council for Child Internet Safety -> the UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS)
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-council-for-internet-safety
Protecting children from adult-oriented content in books, music, films and other media is an important concern for many parents and guardians. Though what is “appropriate” can vary greatly depending on cultural, religious and individual family values, general guidelines and steps can be taken to protect children from potentially harmful content. Accordingly, for social media or short-form content, it is necessary to establish distinct restrictions on what is permitted and what is forbidden. This complex issue can depend on factors such as screen time limits or the nature of the content. It’s important to note that a significant amount of high-quality content is aimed specifically at children. Another factor is a lack of parental oversight.
However, it’s also true that age restrictions for social networking sites and other online platforms are often ignored. This can be due to social pressure from peers already using a particular platform, which can lead younger users to create accounts in contravention of age restrictions. Some parents or guardians could permit their children to use platforms despite being below the age limit due to neglect or unawareness of the platform content.
Completely shielding children may not be as productive as educating them about media and equipping them with the necessary tools to navigate it. As individuals mature, they will invariably encounter an extensive range of content. It is advantageous for them to possess the skills required to comprehend and interpret it in a sophisticated and knowledgeable capacity.