Australia plans to ban social media for under-16s

The Australian government has announced its intention to introduce «cutting-edge» legislation that would ban children under 16 from accessing social media. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the proposed laws would be tabled in parliament next week and aimed to reduce the harm that social media causes to the country’s children.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the proposed laws would be introduced in Parliament next week.

«This is for moms and dads… They, like me, are concerned about the safety of our kids online. I want Australian families to know – the government supports you,»” Albaniz said.

And I want Australian families to know that the government supports you.

While many details are still to be discussed, the government has already clarified that the ban will not apply to children who are already registered on social media. There will be no exceptions for children under 16, even with parental permission. Responsibility for enforcing the age restrictions will fall to the social networks themselves, who will have to demonstrate that they are taking steps to prevent minors from accessing them.

According to the government, the ban will not apply to children who are already registered on social networks.

The bill stipulates that there will be no fines for users, and the eSafety Commissioner, Australia’s online regulator, will take over enforcement. The law will come into force one year after enactment and will be subject to review after implementation.

The law will come into force one year after enactment and will be subject to review after implementation.

While many experts recognize the negative impact of social media on teen mental health, opinions are divided on the effectiveness of a total ban. Some believe that such measures will only delay the moment young people are introduced to apps such as TikTok, Instagram* and Facebook*, rather than teaching them how to navigate complex online spaces. Earlier similar attempts, including initiatives by the European Union, have run into difficulties as there are tools to circumvent age restrictions.

Some of these attempts have been successful.

A major Australian children’s rights group has already criticized the proposed ban, calling it «too harsh a decision». In an open letter to the government signed by more than 100 academics and 20 community organizations, the Australian Children’s Rights Group called on Albania to focus on introducing «safety standards» for social media. The group also cited U.N. recommendations that national internet regulation strategies should be directed toward giving children safe access to the digital environment.

The group also cited U.N. recommendations that national internet regulation strategies should be directed toward giving children safe access to the digital environment.

On the other hand, many activists support the bill, arguing that the restrictions will help protect children from harmful content, misinformation, bullying and other social problems. A petition by the 36Months movement, which has garnered more than 125,000 signatures, argues that children are not ready to safely use social media until they are 16, and excessive social media use «changes the structure of the brain during a critical period of psychological development, causing an epidemic of mental illness».

The bill would help protect children from harmful content and bullying.

The bill would also help protect children from harmful content and bullying.

Albaniz was also asked if it would be possible to create a broader educational program for children to help them master the digital environment. However, he noted that this is not enough because it «assumes a level playing field» which is not the reality.

Albaniz said the program is not enough because it «assumes a level playing field» which is not the case.

Albaniz said it is not enough.

«I don’t know about you, but I have unnecessary messages popping up in my system all the time. What to say about vulnerable 14-year-olds,»” he told reporters Thursday. – «These tech companies are incredibly powerful. These apps use algorithms that direct users to take certain actions».

And they’re using algorithms that direct users to take certain actions.

* Owned by Meta, it is recognized as an extremist organization in Russia and its activities are banned.