Australia Enacts World-First Social Media Ban for Children Under 16: Australia has conceded a law that efficiently bans social media usage for children under 16, making it the first country to implement such sweeping guidelines. The move comes in response to rising concerns over the impact of social media on the mental health and well-being of young people, especially with rising cases of cyberbullying, addiction, and experience of inappropriate content.
The new law, which was approved in Parliament earlier this week, requires social media platforms to enforce stricter age confirmation measures. This safeguards that children below 16 are incapable of accessing or creating accounts on major social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. The guidelines are set to take effect in early 2025, giving social media companies and parents time to adapt to the variations.
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Starting from the law’s implementation in 2025, platforms will be obligated to implement systems to detect and block users under 16 and face forfeits if they fail. Companies that do not comply with the new guidelines could face considerable fines. Repeated violations could result in escalating fees, reaching up to $50 million (AUD).
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Australia Enacts World-First Social Media Ban for Children Under 16: The new law, approved in the Assembly earlier this week, requires social media platforms to enforce stricter age verification measures. This ensures that children under 16 are unable to access or create accounts on major social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.
Under the new lawmaking, social media companies will have a one-year grace period to comply with the age verification needs. Starting from the law’s enforcement in 2025, platforms will be indebted to implement systems to detect and block users under 16 and will face penalties if they fail. Companies that do not comply with the new regulations could face substantial fines. Repeated violations could result in escalating fees, reaching up to $50 million (AUD).
