Australia proposes 'world-leading' ban on social media for those under 16
The Australian government said it would legislate for a ban on social media for children under 16, in what it calls a world-leading package of measures.
SYDNEY, Australia — The Australian government will legislate for a ban on social media for children under 16, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Thursday, in what it calls a world-leading package of measures that could become law late next year.
Australia is trialing an age-verification system to assist in blocking children from accessing social media platforms, as part of a range of measures that include some of the toughest controls imposed by any country to date.
“Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I’m calling time on it,” Albanese said at a news conference.
Albanese cited the risks to the physical and mental health of children from excessive social media use, in particular the risks to girls from harmful depictions of body image and misogynist content aimed at boys.
“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, and what we’re doing is listening and then acting,” he said.
Rating: 5