Australia will ban children under 16 from using social media

Australian authorities are preparing to pass a law banning social media for children under 16, said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The document, which the official described as a world-leading package of measures, could come into force at the end of next year.

Image source: Mircea Iancu / pixabay.com

The country is currently testing an age verification system that will help block children’s access to social networks. “Social media is harming our children, and I call for it,” Mr. Albanese said at a news conference. Excessive use of social networks, in his opinion, poses a threat to the physical and mental health of minors.

Several countries intend to legally limit the use of social networks by children, but the policy of the Australian authorities may be one of the strictest. Nowhere has anyone tried to implement age verification mechanisms based on biometrics or government identification. Australia intends to set the highest age limit and make no exceptions such as parental consent or existing accounts. The bill will be introduced into the Australian Parliament this year and will come into force 12 months after ratification by legislators.

The ban may affect platforms such as Instagram✴, Facebook✴, TikTok, X and YouTube. This measure may provoke young people to explore darker Internet resources that cannot be regulated; and they will not have access to the platforms where they can get support, said the Digital Industry Group (DIGI), which includes Meta✴, TikTok, X and Google. Australian authorities are trying to solve a 21st century problem with 20th century methods, said DIGI Managing Director Sunita Bose. “Rather than blocking access through bans, we need to take a balanced approach to creating age-appropriate spaces, building digital literacy and protecting young people from online harm,” Ms Bose added.

admin

Share
Published by
admin

Recent Posts

AI features in Microsoft Office free for Microsoft 365 subscribers

Microsoft appears to have abandoned the idea of ​​charging Microsoft 365 Personal and Home subscribers…

19 mins ago

Archer Aviation received another large order – hundreds of electric air taxis will soar into the skies of Japan

Californian company Archer Aviation, which produces electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, will begin delivering…

25 mins ago

Apple turns to Foxconn and Lenovo to release AI servers on M4 Ultra chips

Apple already uses server infrastructure built on its proprietary M2 Ultra chips for artificial intelligence…

51 mins ago

SMIC increased revenue and profit on the wave of recovery in the semiconductor industry

The largest Chinese contract chip manufacturer Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) reported an increase in…

1 hour ago

Canada banned TikTok, but did not block the application

Canadian authorities have ordered TikTok to cease operations in the country due to certain “threats…

2 hours ago