A was presented to the Australian parliament bill to ban social media for children under 16, providing for fines of up to 30 million euros for companies that do not comply with the ban.
The new legislation, if passed, would force social media groups to take measures to prevent children under 16 from accessing platforms such as X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. If the obligation is not complied with, fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (31 million euros) would be imposed.
The measure would be one of the most severe in the world regarding minors, but the methods of application are still unclear: Strict privacy protections are expected, which would force tech giants to delete all information collected for age verification.
The Minister of Telecommunications, Michelle Rowlandexplained that social media companies are responsible for the “safety and mental health” of Australians. “It is up to social media platforms, not parents or children, to ensure protective measures are implemented,” he said. Some platforms would benefit from exemptions, such as YouTube, as deemed useful to adolescents, particularly for school. Also the services of messaginglike WhatsApp, and online games should be exempt.
**How effective do you think age verification measures will be in preventing children under 16 from accessing social media, and what are the potential consequences of relying on such measures?**
## World Today News: Children and Social Media - A Deeper Look
**Welcome to World Today News. Today we delve into a groundbreaking development in Australia: a proposed bill aimed at banning social media access for children under 16. Joining us are two esteemed guests with unique perspectives on this controversial topic.**
**Our first guest is Dr. Emily Carter, a renowned child psychologist specializing in the impact of technology on young minds.**
**Our second guest is James Taylor, a leading tech industry analyst with extensive knowledge of digital platforms and online safety regulations.**
**(Introduction music fades)**
**Host:** Thank you both for joining us today. This proposed legislation is making headlines worldwide. Dr. Carter, let’s start with you. What are your initial thoughts on this potentially historic move to ban social media for children under 16?
**(Dr. Carter responds)**
## Section 1: Impact on Child Development
**Host:** Dr. Carter, you’ve dedicated your career to understanding how technology shapes young brains. What are some of the potential benefits and risks associated with social media use for adolescents?
**(Dr. Carter responds )**
**Host:** James, from a tech perspective, how do you see this legislation impacting the development and implementation of social media platforms?
**(James Taylor responds )**
## Section 2: Enforcing the Ban
**Host:** This bill proposes hefty fines for social media companies that fail to comply with the ban. James, how feasible do you think it will be for these companies to effectively verify the age of millions of users? What are the potential drawbacks or unintended consequences of such strict age verification measures?
**(James Taylor responds)**
**Host:** Dr. Carter, concerns have been raised about the potential for this ban to drive children towards less regulated online spaces. How do you see this affecting the overall online safety of minors?
**(Dr. Carter responds )**
## Section 3: Exemptions and Alternatives
**Host:** The bill includes exemptions for platforms like YouTube and messaging services, citing educational and social benefits. James, do you think these exemptions are justified? Where do you draw the line when it comes to online platforms beneficial for youth?
**(James Taylor responds )**
**
Host:** Dr. Carter, what role do you believe parents and schools should play in mitigating the risks associated with social media and fostering healthy online habits in young people?
**(Dr. Carter responds )
**Host:** This is a complex issue with far-reaching implications. We thank you both for sharing your valuable insights with us today. This conversation is just the beginning. We encourage our viewers to continue the discussion and engage in respectful dialog about the future of social media and its impact on the next generation.
**(Outro Music begins)**
Remember, you can find more information about this topic and other breaking news stories on our website, world-today-news.com.
