Australian Government announces plans to ban children from setting up social media accounts
The negative impact of social media on young users is well-documented, and the Australian government is now taking steps to protect children better. New measures are being considered to regulate who can set up social media accounts.
Social media has become an integral part of daily life for most people, with nearly everyone having the most popular apps installed on their phones and often starting their day with them. This is also true for children and teenagers, who are frequently drawn to the addictive nature of smartphones and the internet. It is well-known that regular social media use can have a detrimental effect on the mental health of young people, a concern the Australian government is keen to address.
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Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stressed the need for reforms regarding the minimum age for creating social media accounts, with the aim of raising it. The push for new regulations follows the release of a report in the Australian parliament highlighting mobile apps' harmful effects on children and teenagers.
Australia to regulate social media use by minors
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has proposed raising the minimum age for creating a social media account to either 14 or 16 years. In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, he expressed his desire for children to "move away from screens and onto playing fields, swimming pools, and tennis courts, having real-life experiences with real people."
According to Gazeta Wyborcza, the move to raise the age threshold appears to have widespread support. Both parents and politicians are backing the proposal, with strong consensus in the Australian parliament. Representatives from the ruling Labor Party, as well as Peter Dutton's Liberal Party, are united in their call for stricter regulations. Prime Minister Albanese has pledged that the changes will be implemented by the end of 2024.
Should the law pass, Australia will follow in the footsteps of countries like France and the U.S. state of Florida, where similar restrictions have been introduced. In France, children under the age of 13 are prohibited from using social media, while in Florida, the minimum age is set at 16. The final decision on whether these new rules will come into force in Australia is expected by the end of 2024.
Source: Gazeta Wyborcza
