The government has taken a big step towards its goal of getting children and young teenagers off social media and revealed who would be covered by the ambitious ban.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declared he's "calling time" on the harms caused by social media on young people.The federal government has taken a big step towards realising its ambitious plan to get children and young teenagers off social media .
That was made clear when Mr Albanese told reporters on Thursday that the legislation would not include "grandfathering arrangements" — in other words, social media users who are still under 16 when the ban comes in will be kicked off, assuming it passes parliament. Obvious ones like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat and X would all be captured, and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said on Thursday that "YouTube would likely fall within that definition as well".
The exemptions framework might also help exclude any health or education-focused apps that meet with the technical definition of a social media platform but carry few of the same practical risks.Under the proposed changes, it will be the responsibility of social media companies to take reasonable steps to block people under 16.Photo shows A graphic showing a hand holding a phone.
If platforms fail to comply, they'll be fined. We don't know how much yet, but the government is signalling it will be boosting the current upper limit. It's also possible that a third-party company that specialises in ID verification will act as a go-between between users and social media platforms. "If you're a 14-year-old kid getting this stuff at a time where you're going through life's changes and maturing, it can be a really difficult time."So, why now? Age restrictions have been in the news for most of 2024, initially as a way of preventing children from accessing pornography, and the Coalition announced its support for a social media age limit in June.
Federal Government Social Media Social Media Ban Age Verification Meta Instagram Tiktok Children Age Minimum For Social Media Tech Companies
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New UK bill could force social media firms to make content less addictive for under 16sThe safer phones bill could ban companies from applying algorithms for young ‘doomscrolling’ teens
Read more »
Australian politics live: Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock faces grilling over go-slow on rate cutsWatch live: Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock faces a grilling before a parliamentary hearing; Prime Minister Albanese will ban under 16s from Facebook, TikTok and Snapchat; follow updates live.
Read more »
A pint of bitterness: villagers resent Russell Brand’s plans for their pubPeople of Pishill fear loss of 800-year-old community asset as they await council decision on ‘mixed-use’ scheme
Read more »
Sweden and Norway rethink cashless society plans over Russia security fearsRise in hybrid warfare and cyber-attacks blamed on pro-Russia groups prompt Nordic neighbours to backpedal
Read more »
About 80% of countries fail to submit plans to preserve nature ahead of global summitCountries promised to save 30% of land and sea for nature - but as their deadline approaches, only 24 have followed through with a plan
Read more »
‘Delete, delete, delete’: Musk’s political plans put millions of Americans at riskElon Musk’s company stewardship gives us some clues about what his role in a Trump administration might look like, and it’s not good news – for anyone.
Read more »