Islamabad, Nov 7: Australia to Ban Social Media Access for Teenagers Under 16 to Enhance Online Safety. On Thursday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed that Australia plans to implement a law that will prohibit social media access for individuals under 16 years old.
This anticipated legislation, which is set to be introduced late next year, represents a groundbreaking effort to safeguard children in the online environment and features some of the strictest regulations globally. The government is currently trialing a system for age verification to block underage users from accessing social media platforms. This system is a crucial part of the wider set of initiatives.
Australia’s suggested prohibition on social media for kids under 16 establishes a new international benchmark with stringent regulations. Prime Minister Albanese emphasized the physical and mental health dangers linked to excessive use of social media, especially regarding the negative effects of harmful body image depictions on girls and misogynistic material aimed at boys.
Albanese stated:
Social media is harming our children, and I’m putting a stop to it. If you’re a 14-year-old exposed to these influences during a period of personal growth and change, it can be quite challenging, and what we’re doing is listening and then taking action.
Australia is leading the way in regulating children’s access to social media, making its approach one of the strictest among countries. The nation is trailblazing the implementation of age verification techniques, such as biometrics and government ID, to enforce age restrictions—this is a first for any legal jurisdiction.
The unique aspects of Australia’s policy include a high minimum age requirement, the absence of parental consent exemptions, and its application to pre-existing accounts.The legislation is set to come into effect one year after it receives parliamentary approval and has gained backing from the opposition Liberal Party. Prime Minister Albanese has stated that there will be no exceptions for children who have parental consent or for those with existing accounts.
