Australia's world-first social media ban for children has taken effect, with throngs of teenagers waking up to find their accounts have gone dark. Others tell BBC they have already snuck past barriers and will continue scrolling and posting freely until they are caught.
The new law means social media firms—including Meta, TikTok and YouTube—must take reasonable steps to ensure Australians aged under 16 don't hold accounts on their platforms. The ban, eyed with excitement by global leaders and trepidation by tech companies, was justified as necessary to protect children from harmful content and algorithms—though critics have argued blanket prohibition is neither practical nor wise.
This landmark policy has been one of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's pet projects, and speaking to media on Wednesday, he said he believed it has the power to change lives around the world. Polling shows the ban is wildly popular with parents, who hope it will also help reduce cyber bullying and child exploitation.
However, children express frustration, arguing it robs them of vital connections, especially for those in rural or marginalized communities. Furthermore, experts warn that many might easily circumvent the ban, leading to potential issues. The legislation includes hefty fines for non-compliance by social media firms, and the government emphasizes its commitment to ensuring safety for young Australians online.
The new law means social media firms—including Meta, TikTok and YouTube—must take reasonable steps to ensure Australians aged under 16 don't hold accounts on their platforms. The ban, eyed with excitement by global leaders and trepidation by tech companies, was justified as necessary to protect children from harmful content and algorithms—though critics have argued blanket prohibition is neither practical nor wise.
This landmark policy has been one of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's pet projects, and speaking to media on Wednesday, he said he believed it has the power to change lives around the world. Polling shows the ban is wildly popular with parents, who hope it will also help reduce cyber bullying and child exploitation.
However, children express frustration, arguing it robs them of vital connections, especially for those in rural or marginalized communities. Furthermore, experts warn that many might easily circumvent the ban, leading to potential issues. The legislation includes hefty fines for non-compliance by social media firms, and the government emphasizes its commitment to ensuring safety for young Australians online.
