Australia has become the first country in the world to create a law banning social media access to children. Social media access will soon be banned for children and young teenagers under the age of 16 in Australia. This landmark legislation, passed by both houses of parliament, is among the strictest laws worldwide. Those under the age of 16 will be forbidden by law from using social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. This ban is an effort to protect children from the dangers of social media including cyberbullying. Here’s what we know:
World’s first social media ban
The social media ban in Australia will be enforced within a year. A trial run is set to begin in January 2025. The list of social media platforms banned for all children include TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Facebook, and Instagram. However, YouTube will be exempt from the ban.
The ban aims to combat the negative impacts of social media on young people. This includes protecting teenagers and children from online dangers such as bullying, anxiety, harmful content, and online predators.
The law states that social media companies must implement measures to prevent minors from using their platforms. Otherwise, these social media platforms will face substantial fines of up to $50 million Australian dollars.
The legislation has sparked a significant debate as Australians are divided on the subject. Some people argue that it is necessary to protect children from the negative effects of social media, including bullying, anxiety, and exposure to inappropriate content. However, some critics have labelled the ban as ridiculous.
This social media ban was primarily driven by concerns over the negative impact of social media on young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Although, this move comes after the death of a 12-year-old girl named Charlotte O’Brien in Sydney – who was seriously bullied at school and online – which highlighted the urgent need for reform.
Additionally, some nations are considering similar measures. For instance, France is currently trying to push an EU-wide ban in Europe. But critics suggest that governments should focus on regulating social media platforms to be safer spaces for young users and adapt better privacy rights.
Should Singapore copy this law?
Singapore already has strict cyberbullying laws and measurements to combat harmful behaviour online. So, Australia’s approach may not be necessary. However, Singapore still faces significant challenges with cyberbullying, excessive use among children, and users encountering harmful content, according to reports. So we put the question to you: Should Singapore adopt a similar ban for your children under the age of 16?
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