UK Online Safety Regulations and impact on Forums

[Anthony Parsons]

There is a social media ban in Australia for kids under the age of 16.

Forums are not part of that. If you are confusing "Threads" as forums, it is not, that is Meta's platform.

 

[chillibear]

Forums are not part of that

I thought under the Australian legislation Forums did count as Social Media? I was sure when I skimmed it that was the case, awesome if not. I didn't delve in too deeply since I thought he UK OSA was probably going to be more draconian and we had that covered. Although I should probably find time to go back over it in more detail.

We're told not to allow kids who are under the age of 16.
It's an actual law that makes it a ok because their parents need to supervise them on the internet.

For example their parents take hold of any facebook group they might be in for any sporting group, scouting group, etc until their kids turn 16.
Kids actually get emailed often now which is better.

So does that mean Australia put the emphasis on parents rather than service providers. So if I understand you correctly you as a Forum owner don't need to do anything technical (unlike the UK Online Safety Act) to prevent under 16s it's all the parent's responsibility to prevent the child from breaking the law? That must be a relief. So if someone under 16 is using your forum it's their parents' necks on the line not yours.