Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled plans to introduce legislation aimed at restricting social media access for children under a specific age, anticipated to be between 14 and 16. During a recent interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corp. (ABC), Albanese emphasized the growing concerns about the detrimental effects of social media on young people’s mental health. The proposed initiative seeks to address these issues by preventing younger children from accessing social media platforms, a move the Prime Minister believes is crucial for safeguarding their well-being.
The Australian government plans to commence its efforts by testing age verification technology later this year. This technology will be pivotal in enforcing the proposed age restrictions and ensuring that social media platforms comply with the new regulations. While the exact age limit has not yet been finalized, the initiative represents a significant step towards mitigating the potential harm associated with social media use among minors.
In response to the Prime Minister’s proposal, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has pointed out that their platforms already have a minimum age requirement of 13 years. Meta advocates for empowering young users through enhanced parental controls and monitoring rather than implementing outright bans. The company argues that these measures can help mitigate the negative impacts of social media while still allowing children to benefit from its positive aspects under appropriate supervision.
This move by the Australian government echoes similar legislative efforts seen in other countries. For instance, US Senator Josh Hawley has introduced bills aiming to restrict social media use for teenagers under 16, and the state of Utah has implemented laws requiring parental consent for social media access. These global discussions reflect a growing consensus on the need to regulate social media access for minors to protect their mental health and ensure safer online environments.
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