Australia's groundbreaking ban: no social media for under-16s

Australia leads globally with its ban on social media use by children under 16. The bill was passed in the Senate by a vote of 34 to 19, after gaining approval in the House of Representatives with 102 members in favor and 13 against.

The new law enforces strict penalties for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X that fail to comply. Fines for non-compliance can reach up to $33 million. Platforms have one year to develop a system for verifying users' ages, with enforcement testing set to begin in January.

Australian politicians argue that the decision to introduce the ban comes from the negative impact of social media on young people's mental health. Although other countries, such as France and some U.S. states, have implemented restrictions for minors, the Australian law is the most stringent among them.

The new regulations have faced criticism from young people and researchers, who caution that the ban may isolate young people, including those from the LGBTQIA community and teenage migrants, from online support groups. The Australian Human Rights Commission has expressed concerns that the law could infringe upon young people's rights, limiting their ability to participate in social life.

According to surveys cited by the Reuters, as many as 77% of Australians support the introduction of the ban. However, the ban may present potential issues. For example, Florida's similar law banning social media use by those under 14, introduced in March, is currently being challenged in court. Opponents argue that such measures violate freedom of speech.

Many experts suggest that instead of imposing bans, a more effective solution is to educate young people on safely navigating the digital world.

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