Australia has officially banned social media use for under-16s, passing legislation requiring age verification on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. The government aims to combat cyberbullying and its impact on mental health, but the implementation details remain a subject of ongoing discussion.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled a plan to ban children under 16 from social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. The proposal includes a robust age-verification system with potential biometric checks and hefty fines for non-compliance. While aiming to protect children, the plan faces criticism over potential limitations on internet access.
The Australian government is pushing forward with legislation that would ban social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube for users under 16. This move aims to protect young people from online harms and follows existing measures against non-consensual deepfakes. The plan includes age verification techniques, and exemptions are made for educational and health services.
Roblox, the popular online gaming platform, is implementing stricter measures to protect young users. New age-based restrictions, a rating system, and increased content moderation aim to address concerns regarding child safety and inappropriate interactions. These changes come amidst scrutiny from regulators and reports of potential risks to younger players.
In response to ongoing concerns regarding the negative impact of social media on young individuals, Australia’s Coalition party has advocated for age verification measures and the implementation of restrictions barring underage children from accessing digital platforms.
The Coalition’s stance aligns with the concerns raised by ASIO chief Mike Burgess and federal police chief Reece Kershaw, who have highlighted the vulnerability of children to extremist propaganda online. They have urged platforms like X and Facebook to assume greater responsibility in protecting youth from harmful content.
The debate has escalated following the refusal of social media platform X’s owner, Elon Musk, to comply with an Australian take-down order regarding footage of the Sydney church stabbing. Musk’s stance has drawn criticism from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has called him “out of touch with the values of Australian families.”
