The news outlet Reuters reports :
‘SYDNEY, Nov 28 (Reuters) – Australia approved on Thursday a social media ban for children aged under 16 after an emotive debate that has gripped the nation, setting a benchmark for jurisdictions around the world with one of the toughest regulations targeting Big Tech.
The law forces tech giants from Instagram and Facebook owner Meta (META.O) to TikTok to stop minors logging in or face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million). A trial of methods to enforce it will start in January with the ban to take effect in a year.
Summary
- Ban to apply to Instagram, X, Snapchat and other social media
- From late 2025,
- Australians must be over 16 to use social mediaTech
- Tech giants face fines of A$49.5m for non-complianceChild
- Child rights groups opposed the law,
- Parent groups supported it.’
According to polls 77% of the population support the move.
Reuters reports:
‘The Social Media Minimum Age bill sets Australia up as a test case for a growing number of governments which have legislated or said they plan to legislate an age restriction on social media amid concern about its mental health impact on young people.
Countries including France and some U.S. states have passed laws to restrict access for minors without a parent’s permission, but the Australian ban is absolute. A full under-14s ban in Florida is being challenged in court on free speech grounds.’
The law will take a year to implement with consultation with interested groups.
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Author: brianpeckford
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