The Australian government is pushing for a bill to completely ban the use of social media by teenagers under the age of 16.
According to CNN on the 6th (local time), Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on the 7th that he would enact a law prohibiting the use of SNS for teenagers under the age of 16.
“Social media is harming our children. We have to stop it,” he said. The bill will be submitted to Congress this year, and will take effect 12 months after parliamentary ratification.
Australian Communications Minister Michelle Rowland explained that the legislation applies to Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X, and YouTube is also likely to be covered.
It is noteworthy that the bill does not allow exceptions even with parental consent.
France last year pushed for a ban on the use of social media by adolescents under the age of 15, but granted exceptions to parental consent.
Prime Minister Albanese said, “Social media platforms have a responsibility to prove that they are taking reasonable steps to block access to adolescents. This is not the responsibility of parents or teenagers.”
Australia’s legislation is more stringent than existing regulations in each country, and it is expected to be the world’s strongest social media regulation when implemented.
EJ SONG
US ASIA JOURNAL
