Australia Is Proposing a Social Media Age Limit. Which Other Countries Are Considering Restrictions?

By Free Republic | Created at 2024-11-22 00:17:32 | Updated at 2024-11-28 00:37:21 6 days ago

Australia Is Proposing a Social Media Age Limit. Which Other Countries Are Considering Restrictions?
Euronews ^ | 21/11/2024 | Lauren Chadwick

Posted on 11/21/2024 3:40:02 PM PST by nickcarraway

Australia's communications minister has introduced a new bill to ban social media for minors under the age of 16. Will other countries follow suit?

Australia's government has introduced a new bill that would ban children 16 and under from using social media as part of the country's efforts to keep people safe online.

"For too many young Australians, social media can be harmful," communications minister Michelle Rowland, said in a speech to parliament.

"Almost two-thirds of 14- to 17-year-old Australians have viewed extremely harmful content online, including drug abuse, suicide or self-harm, as well as violent material," she said.

Related Problematic social media use on the rise among European youth, study says "A quarter have been exposed to content promoting unsafe eating habits".

The video player is currently playing an ad.

The legislation will apply to "age-restricted social media platforms" - a term introduced in the law - with the communications minister saying that at a minimum it would include the likes of TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).

"These services will be required to take reasonable steps to prevent persons under 16 years of age from creating or holding an account," Rowland added.

Research from Australia's independent regulator for online safety found nearly half of 8- to 12-year-olds are using short-form video apps like Snapchat and TikTok while more than a third have used messaging apps.

(Excerpt) Read more at euronews.com ...

TOPICS: Australia/New Zealand; Business/Economy; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:

Hey! FReepers!
Help Fill The Tank!
How About It? Huh?
It Ain't Askin' Too Much
Ya Know....

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you.

1 posted on 11/21/2024 3:40:02 PM PST by nickcarraway

To: nickcarraway

What’s the enforcement mechanism? A universal social ID?

And, what’s the penalty for underage use?

To: nickcarraway

3 posted on 11/21/2024 3:45:02 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (The worst thing about censorship is █████ ██ ████ ████ ████ █ ███████ ████. FJB.)

To: nickcarraway

While some aspects of the proposed Idea I could get behind, what about something like youtube which has a lot of educational content on a variety of subjects as well as some really stupid and questionable content.

4 posted on 11/21/2024 3:47:08 PM PST by abigkahuna

To: Pearls Before Swine

> What’s the enforcement mechanism? <

Maybe Australia is considering something like the old East German Stasi system. Every street and every block had their own network of police informants.

So you never knew who was watching - and reporting - you. Could be your best friend. Could be the coach of your son’s soccer team.

Side note to Australia: If you’re going to use this symbol, be sure to change the lettering and the flag.

5 posted on 11/21/2024 3:54:05 PM PST by Leaning Right (It’s morning in America. Again.)

To: nickcarraway

The nanny state raises it’s ugly head.
Do the fools suggesting this understand the backlash and antigovernment feelings this will engender. This is parents’ job to police not the government’s. Social media is part of life. Like any other aspect of society parents need to educate & monitor kids giving them increasing freedom with age. There is neither magic nor a uniform standard of maturity at age 16,17 or 20.

6 posted on 11/21/2024 4:03:04 PM PST by JayGalt (Fight! Fight! Fight!)

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Read Entire Article