November 7th 2024.
In an effort to protect our youth, the Australian government has proposed groundbreaking legislation that would prohibit individuals under the age of 16 from using social media. This announcement, made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, specifically targets concerned parents who are worried about the potential harm social media can have on their children.
According to the prime minister, if the legislation is passed, there will be no penalties for underage users who are found to be in violation of the ban. The main goal of this policy is to put a stop to the negative impact social media can have on young minds. Albanese stated, "Social media is causing harm to our kids and I'm calling time on it. I know that Australian parents are worried sick about the effects of social media on their children and I want to give them the power to say, 'Sorry mate, it's against the law for me to let you do this.'"
Under this proposed legislation, social media companies such as Facebook and Instagram would be responsible for enforcing the age limit. The government expects these platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent underage individuals from accessing their services. Additionally, the ban would apply to all young people under the age of 16, with no exceptions for those who are already using social media.
While this policy may not immediately solve all of the issues surrounding social media use, Albanese believes that it will set important boundaries for our society, similar to laws that prohibit underage drinking. He stated, "We have laws, such as people can't buy alcohol if they're under 18, and from time to time that can be broken, but those laws set the parameters for our society and they assist in ensuring the right outcomes."
The government plans to present this policy to the national cabinet meeting tomorrow, where they will seek support from all Australian states and territories. The Coalition has also expressed their support for a national age cut-off for social media use. This national legislation follows South Australia's recent push for social media companies to ban children under the age of 14.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has also emphasized the importance of cooperation from social media companies. She stated that these platforms could face penalties if they do not comply with the ban. The eSafety commissioner will be responsible for enforcing this rule.
As we await the outcome of this legislation, it is important to stay informed and aware of the latest news. You can download the 9News app to receive notifications about breaking news, sports, politics, and weather straight to your smartphone. This way, you can stay on top of all the latest updates. The app is available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
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