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Australia to ban social media for children under 16

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Australia is set to become the first country to impose a blanket ban on social media platforms for children under 16, citing concerns over its negative impact on young people’s mental and physical health.

The proposed legislation aims to curb the negative impact of social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X on minors. The government plans to introduce an age-verification system to enforce the ban, potentially using biometric or government identification methods. Notably, the ban will not allow exemptions for parental consent or pre-existing accounts.

The Australian government’s approach is stricter than other countries’ efforts to regulate social media use among young people. France has proposed a similar ban, but it allows parental consent exemptions. The United States, on the other hand, has focused on protecting children’s data privacy rather than outright bans.

The Digital Industry Group, representing major tech companies, has expressed concerns about the potential consequences of the ban, suggesting it could drive young people towards unregulated online spaces. The group advocates for a more balanced approach that combines age-appropriate content, digital literacy education, and online safety measures.

The legislation is expected to be introduced to the Australian parliament this year, with the ban coming into effect 12 months after its ratification.

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Feature image: Unsplash

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