Australia bans social media use for under-16s
Australia has taken an unprecedented step in digital regulation by approving a law that bans access to social networks for minors under the age of 16. The regulation seeks to mitigate the risks associated with the use of digital platforms among teenagers, such as cyberbullying and negative effects on mental health.
The Australian government says this legal framework will be essential to ensuring a safer digital environment. This unique law in the world will mean a radical change in the experience of minors in Australia. The changes introduce the defense of childhood without access to social networks.
The new measure’s mission is to defend children, and to make this possible, the social networks that will be affected by this new law have been identified. The platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Snapchat, X, and TikTok. All of these social networks have huge numbers of users.
Now, all of these platforms must comply with the regulations imposed by the Australian government. Anthony Albanese, the Australian Prime Minister, pointed out that all of the above-mentioned platforms now have greater responsibility towards underage users and before the law.
“Making sure that the safety of our children is their priority,” the Australian Prime Minister said, outlining the position that the companies behind social networks should take. Logically, there is a gap from legislation to reality that must be bridged.
To get to this point, there has been a lot of debate about the effects of social media on users’ lives. In fact, just a few weeks ago we learned about the Australian government’s plans, and now a ban on social media for underage users is a reality.