Australia supports ban on social media on children under 16 years of age, these apps will be banned

Melbourne: Australia has supported restrictions on social media on children under 16 years of age. Australia's states unanimously endorsed a national plan on Friday. Under which the use of most types of social media will be banned for children below 16 years of age.

Leaders from eight provinces held a digital meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss the national approach, the first of its kind in the world. Under this, the responsibility of enforcing the age limit will be on platforms like X, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.

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Albanese told reporters that social media is causing social harm to our new Australian generation. The safety and mental health of our teenagers must be a priority. Leaders holding various positions in the government had been discussing the age limit for months and were considering the option of increasing it from 14 to 16 years.

Age restriction will apply

Albanese said that while Tasmania prefers 14 years, he is prepared to support a 16-year limit in favor of national uniformity. This law will be introduced in Parliament within two weeks and the age restriction will come into effect one year after the law is made. This will give time to social media platforms to decide how to keep children away from it.

The bill will be passed in the Senate

However, the government has not yet presented any technical solution. This delay is also intended to allow time to address privacy concerns regarding age verification. Since the 16-year age limit was announced on Thursday, the main opposition party has supported it in principle, indicating the bill will pass the Senate.

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The Greens Party criticized it, saying the ban would hinder the emergence of future child environmental activists in Australia, such as Sweden's Greta Thunberg. Communications Minister Michel Rolland said children would continue to have access to online education and health services. (agency)