Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he wants young people in Australia to “turn off their phones and go to the football field, cricket field, tennis and netball courts, swimming pool” – Photo: REUTERS
On November 28, the Australian Senate passed the bill after it was agreed by the House of Representatives a day earlier, with bipartisan support. For many months, this measure became the subject of intense public debate.
Under the new law, tech companies must take “reasonable steps” to prevent underage users from accessing social media services or face a nearly $50 million fine. Australia (32 million USD), according to CNN.
On paper, this is one of the strictest bans on 세계. But the current law has little detail on how the ban will be enforced, leading experts to say it is 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 such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit and X. Some platforms will likely be exempted, such as WhatsApp and YouTube, which youth may need to use for entertainment, schoolwork, or other reasons.
총리 Australian Anthony Albanese has enthusiastically supported the ban and called on Australian parents to support the law.
He described social media as “a platform for peer pressure, anxiety, a medium for scammers and, at worst, a tool for online predators.” line”. He said he wants young people in Australia to “turn off their phones and go to the football field, cricket field, tennis court and netball court, in the swimming pool”.
However, many teenagers do not like this ban, arguing that they can find a lot of useful information on social networks. Many people may find ways to circumvent the law. “I will find a way. And so do all my other friends,” AFP news agency quoted 12-year-old Angus Lydom as saying.
This Australian law will be watched by other countries and some may consider whether to implement a similar ban.
Previously, many governments from Spain to Florida, USA, have proposed a ban 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 access more than 40 minutes a day of Douyin, China’s version of TikTok. Children’s online gaming time is also limited in China.
China bans children from playing games all night
