Update in UPI by Alasdair Pal and Cordelia Hus, 11/29/24
Headline: “Australia’s under-16 social media ban sparks anger and relief”
“Australians reacted on Friday with a mixture of anger and relief to a social media ban on children under 16 that the government says is world-leading, but which tech giants like TikTok argue could push young people to ‘darker corners of the internet’
“Australia approved the social media ban for children late on Thursday after an emotive debate that has gripped the nation, setting a benchmark for jurisdictions around the world with one of the toughest regulations targeting Big Tech.”
—————————————–
Article in New York Times by Victorieia Kim, 11/28/24
Headline: “Australia Has Barred Everyone Under 16 From Social Media. Will It Work?”
Subhead: “The law sets a minimum age for users of platforms like TikTok, Instagram and X. How the restriction will be enforced online remains an open question.”
“Australia has imposed a sweeping ban on social media for children under 16, one of the worlds most comprehensive measures aimed at safeguarding young people from potential hazards online. But many details were still unclear, such as how it will be enforced and what platforms will be covered.
“After sailing through Parliaments lower house on Wednesday, the bill passed the Senate on Thursday with bipartisan support. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said that it puts Australia at the vanguard of efforts to protect the mental health and well-being of children from detrimental effects of social media, such as online hate or bullying.
“The law, he has said, puts the onus on social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent anyone under 16 from having an account. Corporations could be fined up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (about $32 million) for ‘systemic’ failures to implement age requirements.
“Neither underage users nor their parents will face punishment for violations. And whether children find ways to get past the restrictions is beside the point, Mr. Albanese said.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/28/world/asia/australia-social-media-ban-law.html
————————————–
AP article by By ROD MCGUIRK, 11/28/24
Headline: “Social media ban for under-16s passes the Australian Senate and will soon be a world-first law”
“The law will make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for systemic failures to prevent children younger than 16 from holding accounts.”
——————————————-
Article in Al Jazeera by staff 11/28/24
“Australia’s Parliament has passed a law banning children aged under 16 from using social media, one of the strictest regulations targeting the platforms in the world.”
R. Crumb