As Australia readies itself to restrict access to 10 major social media platforms for users under 16, lesser-known companies are targeting the teen demographic, often engaging underage influencers for promotional content.
“With a social media ban on the horizon, I’ve discovered a cool new app we can switch to,” stated one teenage TikTok influencer during a sponsored “collaboration” video on the platform Coverstar.
New social media regulations in Australia will take effect, effectively prohibiting all users under 16 from accessing TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, Kick, and X starting December 10.
It remains uncertain how effective this ban will be, as numerous young users may attempt to bypass it. Some are actively seeking alternative social media platforms.
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Alongside Coverstar, other lesser-known apps like Lemon8 and Yope have recently surged in popularity, currently sitting at the top two spots in Apple’s lifestyle category in Australia.
The government has stated that the list of banned apps is “dynamic,” meaning additional platforms may be added over time. Experts have voiced concerns that this initiative might lead to a game of “whack-a-mole,” pushing children and teens into less visible corners of the internet.
Dr. Catherine Page-Jeffrey, a specialist in digital media and technology at the University of Sydney, remarked, “This legislation may inadvertently create more dangers for young people. As they migrate to less regulated platforms, they might become more secretive about their social media activities, making them less likely to report troubling content or harmful experiences to their parents.”
Here’s what we know about some of the apps that kids are opting for.
Coverstar
Coverstar, a video-sharing app based in the U.S., identifies itself as “a new social app for Generation Alpha that emphasizes creativity, utilizes AI, and is deemed safer than TikTok.” Notably, it is not subject to the social media ban and currently holds the 45th position in Apple’s Australian download rankings.
A screenshot from Yope reveals that the Guardian was able to set up an account for a fictitious four-year-old named Child Babyface without needing parental consent. Photo: Yope
Children as young as 4 can use this platform to livestream, post videos, and comment. For users under 13, the app requires them to record themselves stating, “My name is ____. I give you permission to use Coverstar,” which the app then verifies. Adults are also permitted to create accounts, post content, and engage in comments.
Similar to TikTok and Instagram, users can spend real money on virtual “gifts” for creators during live streams. Coverstar also offers a “premium” subscription featuring additional functionalities.
The app highlights its absence of direct messaging, adherence to an anti-bullying policy, and constant monitoring by AI and human moderators as key safety measures.
Dr. Jennifer Beckett, an authority on online governance and social media moderation at the University of Melbourne, raised concerns regarding Coverstar’s emphasis on AI: “While AI use is indeed promising, there are significant limitations. It’s not adept at understanding nuance or context, which is why human oversight is necessary. The critical question is: how many human moderators are there?”
Coverstar has been reached for comments.
Lemon8
Lemon8, a photo and video sharing platform reminiscent of Instagram and owned by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has experienced a notable rise in user engagement recently.
Users can connect their TikTok accounts to easily transfer content and follow their favorite TikTok creators with a single click.
However, on Tuesday, Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant revealed that her office has advised Lemon8 to conduct a self-assessment to ascertain if it falls under the new regulations.
Yope
With only 1,400 reviews on the Apple App Store, Yope has emerged as a “friends-only private photo messaging app” that is positioned as an alternative to Snapchat after the ban.
After newsletter promotion
Bahram Ismailau, co-founder and CEO of Yope, described the company as “a small team dedicated to creating the ideal environment for teenagers to share images with friends.”
Similar to Lemon8, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner also reached out to Yope, advising a self-assessment. Ismailau informed the Guardian that he had not received any communication but is “prepared to publicly express our overall eSafety policy concerning age-restricted social media platforms.”
He claimed that after conducting a self-assessment, Yope determines it fully meets the law’s exemption for apps designed solely for messaging, email, video calls, and voice calls.
Australian government adds Reddit and Kick to social media ban for under-16s – video
“Yope functions as a private photo messenger devoid of public content,” asserted Ismailau. “It’s comparable in security to iMessage or WhatsApp.”
According to Yope’s website, the app is designed for users aged 13 and above, with those between 13 and 18 required to engage a parent or guardian. However, the Guardian successfully created an account for a fictitious four-year-old named Child Babyface without needing parental consent.
A mobile number is mandatory for account creation.
Ismailau did not address inquiries about under-13 accounts directly but confirmed that plans are underway to update the privacy policy and terms of service to better reflect the app’s actual usage and intended audience.
Red Note
The Chinese app Red Note, also referred to as Xiaohongshu, attracted American users when TikTok faced a temporary ban in the U.S. earlier this year.
Beckett noted that the app might provide a safe space, considering that “Social media is heavily regulated in China, which is reflected in the content requiring moderation.”
“Given TikTok’s previous issues with pro-anorexia content, it’s clear that the platform has faced its own challenges,” she added.
Nonetheless, cybersecurity experts highlight that the app collects extensive personal information and could be legally obligated to share it with third parties, including the Chinese government.
Despite the increasing number of restricted social media services, specialists assert that governments are underestimating children’s eagerness to engage with social media and their resourcefulness in doing so.
“We often overlook the intelligence of young people,” Beckett remarked. “They are truly adept at finding ways to navigate restrictions.”
Anecdotal evidence suggests that some kids are even exploring website builders to create their own forums and chat rooms; alternatives include using shared Google Docs for communication.
“They will find ways to circumvent these restrictions,” Beckett asserted. “They will be clever about it.”
Source: www.theguardian.com
