Age Verification on Social Media and School Cyberbullying: Current Challenges

The implementation of artificial intelligence for age verification on digital platforms and the reduction of cyberbullying in Valencian classrooms mark current events.

Generic image of children's hands using a mobile phone with social media, symbolizing minors' use of digital platforms.
IA

Generic image of children's hands using a mobile phone with social media, symbolizing minors' use of digital platforms.

The parent company of Facebook and Instagram will apply artificial intelligence in the European Union to estimate user age, while the Valencian Ministry of Education has reduced school cyberbullying by 60% with its coexistence decree.

In a context of constant information flow, the news about the use of artificial intelligence by major digital platforms to verify the age of their users has gone unnoticed. The main objective of this measure is to ensure that users are at least thirteen years old, using advanced systems that examine the bone structure and height of the person interacting with the device.
This initiative arises at a time when concern for the protection of minors in the digital environment is growing. The Spanish Government already announced in February its intention to restrict access for minors under sixteen years old to social networks, a measure that is still pending implementation.

Any minimal limitation to so many toxic trolls or TikTokers will always be welcome.

In the Valencian region, the Ministry of Education announced last week that school cyberbullying in Valencian classrooms has been reduced by 60% since the activation of the coexistence decree in January. This regulation limits the use of mobile devices in educational centers and incorporates the figure of the well-being and protection coordinator, measures that have proven beneficial for the mental health of minors.
However, uncertainty looms over the continuity of these restrictions promoted by the Consell, given the scenario of an indefinite teachers' strike that began this Monday. The consequences of this stoppage in public education are unpredictable and generate concern in the educational community.