Star rating system for social media and games for kids needed as cyber-bullying increases

A STAR-RATING system for social media platforms and games targeted towards kids is needed to limit the rise of cyber-bullying, experts say.

A STAR-rating system for social media companies, games and other online platforms children use could be introduced.

Youth advocacy group ReachOut wants the ACCC or Office of the eSafety Commissioner to rate and monitor online services targeted towards kids such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and games like Fortnite.
The idea aims to claw back control over the cyber-bullying epidemic.

Jono Nicholas CEO of ReachOut and a father of 3 boys. Picture: Toby Zerna

ReachOut in a nationwide survey of 1000 people aged 14-25 found despite increased awareness — particularly following the suicide of 14-year-old NT girl Dolly Everett — cyber-bullying rates continue to skyrocket.

A whopping 38 per cent of respondents experienced cyber-bullying last year, up from a quarter a year earlier.

The figure jumped from 18.8 per cent to 36.1 per cent among respondents aged 14-16.

ReachOut chief executive officer Jono Nicholas told the Sunday Herald Sun: “It has been all words and no action by the government and the tech giants and frankly it is not good enough.”

NT girl Amy 'Dolly' Everett took her own life after she was badly bullied online.

“We are failing our children,” Mr Nicholas said.

“If someone physically entered our homes and bullied our children, there would be national outrage and a demand for action.”

Mr Nicholas said that global tech giants were worth more than a trillion dollars and had an obligation to fund real solutions to protect users against bullies.

The call for an ANCAP-style star-rating system has been given support by Labor, who said it should be explored.

But the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and even the Office of the eSafety Commissioner distanced themselves from such a scheme.

E-safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant says there are already lots of ratings in place. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“The ACCC has no role in cyber bullying and there are other government agencies that are much better placed to take action in this area,” an ACCC spokesman said.

ESafety Commissioner, and former Twitter and Microsoft executive, Julie Inman Grant said:

“There are a number of rating systems that already exist, and we will continue to work with these systems to ensure parents can access the most accurate information”.

However there are no universal rating systems that clearly help parents decide what platform might be safest for their children.

Google would not comment on a specific star rating system but Samantha Yorke, Public Policy and Government Relations Counsel, said the organisation “worked closely” with the sector in an effort to keep children and young people safe.

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield said Australia was leading the world when it came to working towards ways to reduce cyber-bullying. However he would not say if the Coalition would consider a safety rating scheme.

ReachOut updated the definitions of bullying in its survey to clarify the broadening of how it can happen.

Anyone needing help is urged to phone Lifeline, 13 11 14.

Originally published as Star rating system for social media and games for kids needed as cyber-bullying increases