Australia proposes ban on social media for children under 16 amid growing concerns

Australia (The Uttam Hindu): Australia is set to introduce new laws banning children under 16 from using social media, as announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The move aims to hold platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram accountable for enforcing the age restriction, with tech companies facing significant fines if they fail to comply. Albanese emphasized the need to protect vulnerable users, especially children, from harmful content, stating that social media is causing real harm to young people. The proposed laws will be presented to state and territory leaders this week, before being introduced in parliament by late November.

Under the new legislation, tech platforms will be given a one-year grace period to implement the ban. Albanese highlighted concerns over social media algorithms serving inappropriate and disturbing content to impressionable teens, particularly young women exposed to unrealistic body images. The government determined the age of 16 after conducting trials, though some experts have raised doubts about the effectiveness of current age verification methods, which are often unreliable and easy to bypass.

The new laws are part of Australia’s broader efforts to tackle online harm and misinformation. Earlier this year, the government introduced a bill aimed at combating misinformation and providing the authorities with the power to fine tech giants for breaching online safety rules. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland described the reforms as "world-leading" and reiterated that social media companies must take responsibility for ensuring the safety of their platforms, warning that financial penalties would be imposed on those failing to meet new requirements.