The Australian federal government announced a plan to ban social media for kids under 16. This would include everything from Instagram, Facebook and TikTok to Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube Kids. This is meant to stop kids from falling victim to the negative aspects of being online. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this week announced that the minimum age to use social media in Australia will be 16. It comes after the government first said in September it would move to set a minimum age but did not specify how old somebody needed to be at that time.
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Australia to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16 to Prevent Online Harm
It means that even with parental consent children under 16 with accounts will be banned. The government, however, has stressed that no punitive action will be taken against those who do not abide by the fresh regulations. This implies that there will be a moratorium on punishing users for remaining active on social media after the law is passed.
This bill presently applies to the social media platforms Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, X and YouTube Kids — additional platforms may be added in the future. The Opposition also urged that social media companies given clear guarantees will not find some loopholes and under the new restrictions provide access to kids.
The change will be phased in over time. The House of Representatives and the Senate have to vote on the bill, although it could get approval as early as later in the month. Social media platforms will then have a year to abide by the new rules. This means the ban is aimed primarily at those aged 15 and older, and that younger social media users will not feel the full effects of the law for up to a year.
FAQs
When will the social media ban for under-16s start?
The ban will take effect in at least a year, after legislation passes.
Which social media platforms will be affected by the ban?
Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and more.
