Australia to Ban Social Media Until Age of 16
Arthur T Knackerbracket has processed the following story:
Australia To Ban Social Media Until Age Of 16The Australia government has proposed 16 as the minimum age for minors to use social media and lays the onus on platforms to demonstrate reasonable actions to prevent any younger users. However, the government did not explain how it expects platforms to enforce the age limits.
In a statement to the press today (7 November), Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said that the government's proposed minimum age legislation will be introduced when the country's parliament returns in two weeks, and if passed, will come into force a year later.
[...] The proposed new legislation enforces a blanket ban on everyone under 16 from using social media, including those already on it and those with parental consent.
The fact is that social media has a social responsibility, but the platforms are falling short," said the Australian minister for communications, Michelle Rowland.
What we are announcing here and what we will legislate will be truly world leading,"
Rowland said that the platforms that do not comply will face penalties under the proposed Act - which under current legislation are less than A$1m.
Arthur T Knackerbracket has processed the following story:
The Australian government has confirmed it will create legislation that bans access to social media for people under the age of 16.
"The Bill builds upon the Australian Government's work to address online harms for young people, including the $6.5 million age assurance trial, establishing an online dating apps code, legislating new criminal penalties for non-consensual sexual deepfakes, and quadrupling base funding for the eSafety Commissioner," explained a notice from the prime minister's office on November 8.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government has worked toward the plan for months, but only late last week did it finally receive backing from the National Cabinet.
[...] Services that primarily provide education and health services will not be included in the ban. The nation's eSafety Commissioner will handle oversight and enforcement. Under the current legislation, maximum fines are less than a million dollars.
The new bill "puts the onus" on social media platforms instead of parents to make sure fundamental protections are in place, the notice stated.
[...] The Prime Minister specified there will be no penalties for users. There are also no exemptions from the policy with parental consent or "grandfathering in" for those who already have accounts.
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