_Australia Proposes Ban on Social Media for Children Under 16_

 

By Joshua Omoniyi 

The Australian government has introduced a bill that proposes to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. The legislation, which has been described as "world-leading" by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, aims to protect young people from the potential harms of social media.

The ban, which would apply to platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, has been welcomed by some parents who are concerned about the impact of social media on their children's mental health. However, others have expressed concerns that the ban could be difficult to enforce and may drive young people to use unregulated platforms.

The government has said that it will work with tech companies to develop age-verification technology that will be used to enforce the ban. However, experts have warned that this technology is still in its infancy and may not be effective in preventing young people from accessing social media.

The proposed ban has also been criticized by some experts who argue that it is too blunt an instrument and may not address the underlying issues associated with social media use. Instead, they argue that the government should focus on educating young people about how to use social media safely and responsibly.

The ban is part of a broader package of measures aimed at addressing the potential harms of social media. The government has also announced plans to introduce "digital duty of care" laws that will require tech companies to prioritize user safety.

The proposed ban has sparked a heated debate in Australia about the role of social media in the lives of young people. While some argue that it is necessary to protect young people from the potential harms of social media, others argue that it is an overreach of government power and may not be effective in achieving its goals.

The bill is expected to be debated in parliament in the coming weeks, and it remains to be seen whether it will be passed into law.