📣 In a move that's got everyone talking, Australia is on the verge of banning social media for kids under 16! 😱
On Wednesday, after some fiery debates, the Australian House of Representatives passed a bill 102 votes to 13, aiming to shield the younger generation from the potential harms of excessive social media use. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government secured support across the aisle to push this through. 🇦🇺
The Senate is expected to debate the bill soon, with hopes to get it passed before the end of the parliamentary year. If it becomes law, it would be one of the toughest social media regulations globally! 🌏
Albanese believes that too much screen time can pose risks to both the physical and mental health of young Aussies. 🧠💔 Parents are rallying behind this, eager to protect their kids in the digital age.
The proposed law would require social media platforms to implement age-verification measures. Companies could face hefty fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million) for systemic breaches. 💸 Ouch!
Australia plans to trial an age-verification system that might include biometrics or government IDs to enforce the ban. But not everyone is on board. Tech giants like Google and Meta are urging the government to hold off until the age-verification trials wrap up in mid-2025. TikTok says more chats are needed, while X (formerly Twitter) is concerned about potential impacts on children's rights. 🤔
What About the Teens?
Not surprisingly, young people have mixed feelings. Some say this law could cut them off from crucial social and family connections. 💬 A 16-year-old high school student from Sydney shared, \"I get that too much social media isn't great, and I'm working on it. But a ban isn't the answer.\"
The debate is intense! Youth advocates argue that it takes away kids' voices, while parent groups believe under-16s are too young to navigate the digital world safely. 🧒👨👩👧
Despite the disagreements, public support is strong. A recent YouGov survey showed that 77% of Australians back the ban, a jump from 61% in August. 📈 Major media outlets and parent advocacy groups are also throwing their weight behind the move.
Jenny Branch-Allen, president of the Australian Parents Council, said, \"Big companies have to start taking responsibility. Let's try to reduce the incidents we're hearing about involving social media and young people in Australia.\" 🙌
The clock is ticking as Australia edges closer to making a landmark decision that could reshape how young people interact online. Stay tuned! 🕒
Reference(s):
Australia nears social media ban for children after heated debate
cgtn.com
