Australian lawmakers have passed one of the world's toughest measures, banning children under 16 from using social media.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he wants young Australians to "get off their phones and go to the football pitch, the cricket pitch, the tennis and netball courts, the swimming pool" - Photo: REUTERS
The Australian Senate passed the bill on November 28 after it was unanimously passed by the House of Representatives the day before, with bipartisan support. The measure has been the subject of intense public debate for months.
Under the new law, tech companies must take "reasonable steps" to prevent underage users from accessing social media services or face fines of nearly 50 million Australian dollars ($32 million), according to CNN.
On paper, it is one of the strictest bans in the world. But the current law provides little detail on how it will be enforced, leading experts to say it is largely symbolic and unenforceable.
It will take at least 12 months before regulators work out the details and the ban comes into effect.
The ban is expected to apply to popular platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit and X. Some platforms are likely to be exempt, such as WhatsApp and YouTube, which young people may need to use for entertainment, schoolwork or other reasons.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has enthusiastically backed the ban and urged Australian parents to back the law.
He described social media as “a platform for peer pressure, anxiety, a vehicle for scammers and worst of all, a tool for online predators”. He said he wanted young Australians to “get off their phones and go to the football pitch, the cricket pitch, the tennis and netball courts, the pool”.
However, many teenagers do not like this ban, saying that they can find a lot of useful information on social media. Many people may find ways to get around the law. "I will find a way. And so will all my other friends," AFP news agency quoted Angus Lydom, 12, as saying.
Australia's legislation will be watched by other countries, some of which may consider whether to implement similar bans.
Previously, many governments from Spain to the US state of Florida have proposed bans on social networks for teenagers, although no measures have been applied.
China has tightened social media access for minors since 2021, with children under 14 not allowed to spend more than 40 minutes a day on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. Children's online gaming time is also limited in China.
China bans children from playing games all nightSource: https://tuoitre.vn/uc-thong-qua-luat-cam-tre-duoi-16-tuoi-dung-mang-xa-hoi-20241128202649445.htm
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