EntertainmentAustralia moves to curb social media access for under-16s

Australia moves to curb social media access for under-16s

Politicians, parents, and experts from various fields are concerned about children's presence on social media. They frequently highlight issues such as social media addiction and potential fraud. Politicians are increasingly proposing legal regulations regarding access to social media.

Australia wants to regulate children's access to social media.
Australia wants to regulate children's access to social media.
Images source: © Canva | Canva

11 November 2024 15:06

Funny videos posted on TikTok, playing with filters on Snapchat, sharing photos on Instagram, or communicating via WhatsApp—social media has become an integral part of people's lives worldwide, changing how they spend their time or communicate with each other. Despite numerous advantages, social media carries a significant amount of risks, including addiction and an impact on mental health. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the potential problems associated with being online.

Australian Prime Minister wants to limit access to social media

The Australian government has announced changes regarding access to social media. During a press conference, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: "This one is for the mums and dads... They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our kids online. I want Australian families to know that the government has your back." Albanese added that social media affects young people's mental and physical health.

What will the changes involve? The law will prohibit children and teenagers under 16 from using social media. Parental consent or prior presence on social media will not make any difference. Everyone will be subject to the same regulations. The ban covers platforms belonging to the Meta corporation, namely Facebook and Instagram, TikTok, portal X, and possibly YouTube. The responsibility for verifying users' ages will lie with the social media companies, making them accountable if the law is broken. "Social media platforms would be penalized for breaching the age limit, but under-age children and their parents would not," said Anthony Albanese. Although the new regulations require numerous amendments, they will likely be effective by the end of 2025.

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