Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Thursday that Australia will introduce legislation banning social media access for children under 16.
This proposed law, expected late next year, is part of a pioneering initiative to protect children online and includes some of the strictest regulations worldwide.
The government is testing an age-verification system to prevent underage access to social media platforms. This system is a key component of the broader package of measures.
Australia’s proposed social media ban for children under 16 sets a new global standard with strict measures. Prime Minister Albanese highlighted the physical and mental health risks associated with excessive social media use, particularly the impact of harmful body image portrayals on girls and misogynistic content targeting boys.
Albanese said:
Social media is doing harm to our kids and I’m calling time on it. 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.
While other countries have pledged to regulate children’s social media access, Australia’s approach is among the toughest. The country is pioneering the use of age verification methods like biometrics and government identification to enforce the age restriction – a first for any jurisdiction.
Australia’s policy is also unique in its high age limit, lack of parental consent exemptions, and application to existing accounts.
The law, which will take effect 12 months after parliamentary approval, has garnered support from the opposition Liberal Party. Prime Minister Albanese emphasized that there will be no exceptions for children with parental consent or existing accounts.
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Females of all ages and males below 16 years should be banned from social media in pakistan.
Pakistan is way ahead of Australia as it has banned social media for all ages, by the blessings of taklu sharif and haji establishment.