Australia introduced the world's first ban on social media for minors aged up to 16. The technology companies to which teenagers are to be restricted include Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Snapchat, TickTok, Reddit, X, YouTube, Twitch and Kick. Young people no longer have accounts on these platforms.
Australia introduced a ban on social media for children. Although parents and kid rights defenders have declared the fresh law a success, it is expected to meet strong opposition from teenagers in the country and the 10 largest global social media giants.
Although minors will not be punished for uncovering ways to further access these sites, technology companies managing platforms are at hazard if they do not take reasonable steps to prevent children under 16 from establishing accounts. If it turns out that the Australian eSafety Commission will not comply with the fresh ban, it may impose a fine of up to $49.5 million.
Platforms that have not been banned include Discord, GitHub, Google Classroom, LEGO Play, Messenger, Pinterest, Roblox, Steam and Steam Chat, WhatsApp, YouTube Kids.
Snapchat's owner stated that “the separation of teenagers from friends and household does not make them safer”. From YouTube, he declared that the “speedy” introduced government would consequence in parents “lost the ability to supervise the accounts of their teenagers or children aged 12 to 18,” reports the BBC.
– What was erstwhile rejected as alarmism is now considered a global public wellness crisis, and governments around the planet are forced to act as a consequence of Australia's leadership said Dr. Danielle Einstein, a clinical scientist and assistant prof. at the School of intellectual Sciences at Macquarie University, and a investigator dealing with social media and anxiety.
– Time to wake up and see the increasing level of aggression, fear and anger and the toxic impact of social media on our society. We no longer believe that the unregulated usage of social media is simply a “safe haven” for intellectual wellness She added.
Australian communications minister Anika Wells said in an interview with the BBC that the leaders of another countries, including the European Union, Fiji, Greece and Malta, knocked on her door for advice on how to introduce akin laws. According to sources, Indonesia is considering following Australia's lead, and Britain can introduce measures another than a complete ban, imposing restrictions on the time children can spend on social media. Norway already restricts access to social media for people under the age of 13 and is considering raising the age threshold to 15.
After the fresh year, France will besides consider a bill that would prohibit the usage of all social media, with the exception of news services, to minors under the age of 15 and platforms would gotta verify the age of users. In addition, the proposed law aims to block access to social media from 22:00 to 8:00 a.m. to "promot healthy sleep patterns and reduce dependence on night use" – reports the France24 portal.
– Social media applications aim to attract attention and cash in young people, generating advertising revenue – said France24 Floriane Didier of Lève les Yeux, an association helping parents and youth to fight addiction to screens. – The view that a young man can usage social media to a reasonable degree is incorrect – that is impossible. Young people are addicted like us adults, but they're more susceptible to it. said French parliamentarian Laure Miller.
In the United States, Florida has already attempted to ban children under 14 from having social media accounts. However, the state justice blocked this decision, declaring it a violation of freedom of speech. A akin trial in Utah did not pass judicial review.
In Poland there is besides a debate on specified solutions, but it is inactive in its infancy.
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