Australia Is Proposing A Social Media Ban For Kids Under 16, Will It Work?
Many countries have been calling for restrictions on social media for children under 16. Australia is one of the countries proposing it
News of social media restrictions is nothing new. After all, many studies show that too much social media, especially for children, is not good. Parents are even discouraged to give screentime and gadgets to their children during the toddler years.
Australia recently proposed a ban on social media for kids under 16 years old. Reuters reported that the country is doing a trial of an age verification system to assist in blocking kids under 16 from accessing social media. and could take effect by the end of the year. the question is will it work?
What the plans are so far for the proposed ban?
Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not go into specifics but said that the country is already doing a trial on an age verification system.
“Social media is doing harm to our kids and I’m calling time on it,” he said.
Albanese cited that social media has become harmful for children, particularly in body image among women and the sexist and misogynist statements picked up by young men.
According to Albanese, the legislation will be introduced to parliament and can take effect in 12 months after being ratified by lawmakers. Support for the proposal has been strong, including from the Liberal Party.
There will be no exemptions even if kids have consent from parents or those with accounts. Social media companies TikTok, X, and Meta spokespersons have yet to comment on the news.
The legislation is set to be introduced this month.
Will the proposal work?
Although it has yet to be enforced, Australia’s proposal is by far the stringent. Several countries have passed laws in restricting social media use for many reasons. Brazil for instants has put a temporary ban in the use of X (formerly Twitter) because of the ongoing disinformation peddled online.
France meanwhile has proposed a social media ban for those under 15 years old but many were able to go around it.
Other countries like China, Vietnam, and parts of the Middle East have either banned or restricted social media for government reasons.
Several studies have shown the impact of social media on teens and kids. If the proposal works in Australia, it could be a test case for other countries to follow.
For now, the best thing parents can do is to teach their children in using social media properly. They must educate them in the usage so that it won’t affect their health.
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