It’s been a busy and successful week for SFC-SA.The conversation has started, and the public is beginning to listen, question, and engage.
Over the past few days, we’ve seen growing signs that the tide is turning in favour of stronger digital protections for children:
✅ Australia continues to pursue bold new legislation – Children under 16 will soon be restricted from accessing platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and X – and now YouTube has been added to the list! We wait to see how platforms like Whatsapp and Discord will be dealt with.
The Australian government is sending a strong message: social media companies have a social responsibility to protect children and they’re now being held to it.
Huge credit to the advocacy groups leading this change, including @Heads Up Alliance and @Wait Mate.
Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dFbr6KFa
✅ YouTube announced AI-powered age checks – For the first time, YouTube will begin using AI to estimate users’ ages to provide age appropriate protections for under 18’s – a step toward treating teens like teens, and not as miniature adults.
It’s far from perfect, but it shows something important:
Tech is finally starting to adjust to children – not the other way around. And they believe that protections should extend not just up until 16 but right up until 18!
At SFC-SA, we see this as a hopeful shift. Every child deserves a chance to grow up offline, unfiltered, and full of real moments.
Read more here:
https://lnkd.in/d5nqfYY7
✅ Nearly 600 registrations at our webinar – We were blown away by the turnout – mums, dads, grandparents, and teachers showed up in numbers for a powerful conversation on why giving your child a smartphone is one of the biggest decisions you might ever make for them! A heartfelt thanks to Chris McKenna (Protect Young Eyes) for sharing his wisdom, and to Adrian from Fynbos Money, one of our very own SFC-SA dads, for supporting the event.
Catch the replay here:
https://lnkd.in/d4-ZCqd9
✅ The debate around social media age restrictions heats up!
SFC-SA’s Kate joined Cape Talk for a high-pressure interview on social media age restrictions. The questions were tough, and some listener pushback was even tougher:
“We are making a mistake again by limiting phones. Rather teach it at school – restrictions just push the issue underground!”
But Kate stood firm, offering the calm, research-based voice this conversation so desperately needs.
Listen here:
https://lnkd.in/dUdqnzVV
We’re proud. We’re energised. And we’re part of something bigger.
This movement isn’t only happening in South Africa – it’s gaining momentum around the world. There are now 32 chapters globally, all made up of parents who are standing up, speaking out, and choosing to protect childhood in the digital age.
www.sfc-sa.co.za
