How UK watchdog plans to 'drive out' children from social media sites
2 weeks, 3 days ago

How UK watchdog plans to 'drive out' children from social media sites

Hindustan Times  

Social media companies in the UK will be implementing the use of facial recognition age checks to “drive out” under-age children from their sites. John Higham, the online regulator’s head of online safety policy, said platforms would be expected to remove potentially millions of children from their sites by using “highly accurate and effective” age checks. According to estimates by Ofcom, as many as 60 percent of 8 to 11-year-olds have social media profiles – equivalent to 1.6 million children in the UK – despite major sites like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat having minimum age limits of 13. Higham told the Telegraph that the watchdog’s research had exposed the “big” problem that more than one-fifth of under-age children on social media sites were claiming to be adults to access content.

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History of this topic

Australian-style social media ban for under-16s is unlikely, says technology secretary
6 days, 18 hours ago

Australian-style social media ban for under-16s is unlikely, says technology secretary

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy An Australian-style social media ban for under-16s is highly unlikely, the …

Australia’s social media ban won’t protect kids – it’ll put them more at risk
2 weeks, 4 days ago

Australia’s social media ban won’t protect kids – it’ll put them more at risk

The Independent  

It’s hard to know what to gift teenagers at Christmas. Beyond the ongoing debate over TikTok’s future in the US, Australia has recently made the decision to ban children under 16 from social media – a policy which the government will enforce via untested age verification technology. The AV technology to be used on social media platforms in Australia is …

How will Australia's under-16 social media ban work? We asked the law's enforcer
3 weeks ago

How will Australia's under-16 social media ban work? We asked the law's enforcer

NPR  

How will Australia's under-16 social media ban work? We asked the law's enforcer toggle caption Provided by the Australian eSafety Commission Australia passed one of the strictest internet crackdowns in the world last month, banning children under 16 from being on social media or opening new accounts. Sponsor Message Research that's examined the link between social media use and teens' …

Dutch MP will propose banning children under 15 from using social media
3 weeks, 2 days ago

Dutch MP will propose banning children under 15 from using social media

NL Times  

Dutch political party D66 is advocating for a minimum age of 15 for social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. “Tech giants are harming children’s health because social media is deliberately designed to be addictive,” said D66 parliamentarian Hanneke van der Werf, according to RTL." “The Netherlands doesn’t let cigarette manufacturers determine and enforce age restrictions,” Van der …

Texas weighs social media bans for minors as schools and police face challenges
1 month ago

Texas weighs social media bans for minors as schools and police face challenges

Associated Press  

As school districts struggle to control the spread of cyberbullying, sexual abuse images and online exploitation among their students, Texas lawmakers could consider banning social media from minors, among other sweeping measures, in the upcoming legislative session. While they welcome any efforts to reduce harm to children, school officials and cybercrime investigators say more needs to be done to hold …

Australia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere — or even there?
1 month ago

Australia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere — or even there?

Associated Press  

It is an ambitious social experiment of our moment in history — one that experts say could accomplish something that parents, schools and other governments have attempted with varying degrees of success: keeping kids off social media until they turn 16. “It’s clear that social media companies have to be held accountable, which is what Australia is trying to do,” …

JUST SPAMMING | Can social media be kept out of the child's reach?
1 month, 1 week ago

JUST SPAMMING | Can social media be kept out of the child's reach?

Deccan Chronicle  

The latest news from down under is rather baffling. The Online Safety Amendment Act 2024 passed by the Australian Senate last week seeks to ban children below the age of 16 from using social media apps like TikTok, Facebook, Reddit, Snapchat, Instagram and X. Because in the Indian context, 70 per cent of the children access social media from their …

Founder of teenage-run 6 News channel criticises Anthony Albanese's social media ban for children under 16
1 month, 1 week ago

Founder of teenage-run 6 News channel criticises Anthony Albanese's social media ban for children under 16

Daily Mail  

The founder of an Australian news channel staffed exclusively by teenage journalists has responded to new laws which will ban children under the age of 16 from social media. Leo Puglisi, 17, has run the online news service 6 News since beginning his media career at age 11. 'As Australia's only national streaming news channel run almost entirely by teenagers …

In graphics | Australia bans social media for children under 16: What it means and how it will be implemented?
1 month, 1 week ago

In graphics | Australia bans social media for children under 16: What it means and how it will be implemented?

Firstpost  

Australia has passed a historic law banning social media access for children under 16. Let’s take a closer look at what the new law means for the children and its implementation The Australian Parliament has passed a law banning children under 16 from using social media, making it the first country to implement such a measure. The Social Media Minimum …

Australia, France and more: How countries are trying to regulate social media for children
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia, France and more: How countries are trying to regulate social media for children

Firstpost  

Australia has approved a social media ban for children aged under 16 after an emotive debate gripped the nation. From France to China, several other countries have tried to clean up social media through policies like strict privacy laws and prohibitions for minors Two school students pose with their mobile showing social media applications in Melbourne, Australia. Similar to Australia, …

Australian Parliament bans social media for under-16s with world-first law
1 month, 1 week ago

Australian Parliament bans social media for under-16s with world-first law

Deccan Chronicle  

Melbourne: A social media ban for children under 16 passed the Australian Parliament on Friday in a world-first law. “The social media ban legislation has been released and passed within a week and, as a result, no one can confidently explain how it will work in practice – the community and platforms are in the dark about what exactly is …

Australia imposes world's-first ban on social media for children below 16 years
Top News
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia imposes world's-first ban on social media for children below 16 years

India Today  

In a landmark decision, Australia has passed a law that effectively bans social media usage for children under the age of 16, making it the first country to implement such sweeping regulations. The new law, which was passed in Parliament earlier this week, requires social media platforms to enforce stricter age verification measures, ensuring that children below 16 are unable …

Australia PM on social media ban: Firms now have responsibility to protect kids
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia PM on social media ban: Firms now have responsibility to protect kids

India Today  

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday that social media platforms now have a responsibility to ensure the safety of children, after the country's parliament passed a bill banning those under the age of 16 from using the services. Australia approved the social media ban for children on Thursday after an emotive debate that has gripped the nation, setting …

Social media ban for children ‘brilliant idea’ for tackling abuse – charity boss
1 month, 1 week ago

Social media ban for children ‘brilliant idea’ for tackling abuse – charity boss

The Independent  

Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A social media ban for young children is “a brilliant idea” for …

Australia lawmakers pass landmark social-media ban for under-16s
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia lawmakers pass landmark social-media ban for under-16s

Live Mint  

Australia is set to become the first country to ban social media use by under-16s after the country’s Senate overwhelmingly voted in favor of strict new legislation. “Social media is doing harm to our children and I’m calling time on it," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said when the bill was introduced to Parliament earlier this month. The legislation marks …

Australia to ban under-16s from social media after passing landmark law
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia to ban under-16s from social media after passing landmark law

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Australia will ban children under …

Australia passes landmark law banning social media for children under 16
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia passes landmark law banning social media for children under 16

Firstpost  

The law, expected to take effect in November 2025, sets some of the toughest social media controls in the world and will force platforms to take reasonable steps to ensure age-verification protections are in place A high school student poses with his mobile phone showing his social media applications in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday. Reuters Australian lawmakers on Thursday passed …

Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s
1 month, 1 week ago

Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s

CNN  

Brisbane, Australia CNN — Australia’s parliament has passed a world-first law banning social media for children under 16, putting tech companies on notice to tighten security before a cut-off date that’s yet to be set. Under the new law, tech companies must take “reasonable steps” to prevent under-age users from accessing social media services or face fines of nearly 50 …

Australia bans social media for children under 16, first country to do so
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia bans social media for children under 16, first country to do so

India Today  

Australia on Thursday passed into law a social media ban for children aged under 16 after an emotive debate that gripped the nation, setting a benchmark for jurisdictions around the world with one of the toughest regulations targeting Big Tech. Against the backdrop of a parliamentary inquiry through 2024 which heard evidence from parents of children who had self-harmed due …

Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s
1 month, 1 week ago

Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s

CNN  

Brisbane, Australia CNN — Australia’s parliament has passed a world-first law banning social media for children under 16, putting tech companies on notice to tighten security before a cut-off date that’s yet to be set. Under the new law, tech companies must take “reasonable steps” to prevent under-age users from accessing social media services or face fines of nearly 50 …

The Australian Senate debates the world’s first social media ban for children under 16
Top News
1 month, 1 week ago

The Australian Senate debates the world’s first social media ban for children under 16

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — The Australian Senate was debating a ban on children younger than 16 years old from social media Thursday after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly supported the age restriction. “The core focus of this legislation is simple: It demands that social media companies take reasonable steps to identify and remove underage users from their platforms,” Kovacic told the …

Amid Google-Facebook pressure, Australia takes another step to ban social media for children
1 month, 1 week ago

Amid Google-Facebook pressure, Australia takes another step to ban social media for children

Firstpost  

Despite opposition from companies like Google and Meta, Australia’s lower house has passed a bill to ban social media for children under 16, requiring age-verification protections Australia on Wednesday moved closer to banning social media for children under 16 after the parliament’s lower house passed the bill even as Alphabet’s, opens new tab Google and Facebook-owner Meta, opens new tab …

Australia pushes for social media ban for kids under 16: Here are the rules
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia pushes for social media ban for kids under 16: Here are the rules

India Today  

Australia took a major step toward banning social media for children under 16 on Wednesday, with the lower house of Parliament passing a bill aimed at implementing some of the toughest online controls globally. The bill passed with bipartisan support, securing 102 votes to 13, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government pushes for swift enactment before the year’s end. Here …

Safety is ‘at the core’ of TikTok, European executive says
1 month, 1 week ago

Safety is ‘at the core’ of TikTok, European executive says

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The safety of TikTok users “is at the core of the platform”, one …

Meta, TikTok, Google Slam Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban
Trending News
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Meta, TikTok, Google Slam Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban

Live Mint  

-- Global tech giants including Meta, TikTok and Google have heavily criticized Australian legislation to ban children under 16 from accessing social media platforms, setting the stage for a policy fight as the government tries to push the bill through parliament this week. Under the proposed law, Australians under 16 years of age will be prohibited from setting up accounts …

Social media sites call for Australia to delay its ban on children younger than 16
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Social media sites call for Australia to delay its ban on children younger than 16

Deccan Chronicle  

An advocate for major social media platforms told an Australian Senate committee Monday that laws to ban children younger than 16 from the sites should be delayed until next year at least instead of being rushed through the Parliament this week.Sunita Bose, managing director of Digital Industry Group Inc., an advocate for the digital industry in Australia including X, Instagram, …

Australia should delay social media ban for children under 16, Big Tech says
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australia should delay social media ban for children under 16, Big Tech says

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — An advocate for major social media platforms told an Australian Senate committee Monday that laws to ban children younger than 16 from the sites should be delayed until next year at least instead of being rushed through the Parliament this week. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said she looked forward to reading the Senate committee’s assessment of the …

Tens of thousands of teens lying about their age on social media to beat safeguards
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Tens of thousands of teens lying about their age on social media to beat safeguards

The Telegraph  

The majority of children using social media apps are hiding their true age to access features meant for adults and teenagers, official research has revealed. Most under-18s using apps such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat have entered fake dates of birth to appear older than their real age, according to Ofcom. The figures outline the scale of children bypassing age …

A social media ban for children younger than 16 is introduced in Australia’s Parliament
1 month, 2 weeks ago

A social media ban for children younger than 16 is introduced in Australia’s Parliament

The Hindu  

Australia’s communications minister introduced a world-first law into Parliament on Thursday that would ban children younger than 16 from social media, saying online safety was one of parents’ toughest challenges. Michelle Rowland said TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram were among the platforms that would face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars for systemic failures to prevent …

Australia tables bill; UK plans to block social media for children under-16s
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australia tables bill; UK plans to block social media for children under-16s

Hindustan Times  

Following the footsteps of Australia, the UK government is considering a potential ban on social media for children under 16. In world-first law, Australia to block social media for under-16s, plans porn ban Australia’s communications minister Michelle Rowland introduced a world-first law in Parliament on Thursday to ban children under 16 from using social media. “This bill establishes a new …

Is a “digital duty of care” enough to protect young people from social media’s harms?
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Is a “digital duty of care” enough to protect young people from social media’s harms?

ABC  

Since the start of November, the Australian government has made two significant announcements aimed at addressing the harms that social media platforms are causing to the mental health of adolescents: that it will legislate a minimum age of 16 for access to social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X; that it will legislate a minimum age of 16 …

Australia won’t force social media users to share their personal details when child ban takes effect
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australia won’t force social media users to share their personal details when child ban takes effect

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia’s communications minister said Wednesday the government won’t force social media users to hand over their personal information to tech companies, as children younger than 16 are set to be banned from the platforms. Rowland told Parliament on Wednesday the legislation will contain “robust provisions” to protect social media users’ privacy. Age Check Certification Scheme’s chief executive …

Australia introduces bill to limit under-16s from using social media with tech companies facing huge fines
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australia introduces bill to limit under-16s from using social media with tech companies facing huge fines

CNN  

Brisbane, Australia CNN — The Australian government is threatening multimillion dollar fines for social media companies that breach a proposed ban on children under 16 from using their service. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland introduced an amendment to the Online Safety Act in parliament on Thursday, which the government has pitched as “world-leading social media reform.” “The Albanese Government is introducing …

Opinions divided over Australia's social media ban move
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Opinions divided over Australia's social media ban move

China Daily  

FILE PHOTO: A TikTok logo is displayed on a smartphone in this illustration taken January 6, 2020. The Australian government is pushing ahead with legislation that will ban all children under the age of 16 from social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and X — even with parental consent. "This may mean that they access social media without …

Opinions divided over Australia's social media ban move
Trending News
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Opinions divided over Australia's social media ban move

China Daily  

The impact of social media on the well-being and mental health of children has been thoroughly documented for more than a decade. The Australian government is pushing ahead with legislation that will ban all children under the age of 16 from social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and X — even with parental consent. "This may mean that …

Opinions divided over Australia's social media ban move
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Opinions divided over Australia's social media ban move

China Daily  

FILE PHOTO: A TikTok logo is displayed on a smartphone in this illustration taken January 6, 2020. The Australian government is pushing ahead with legislation that will ban all children under the age of 16 from social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and X — even with parental consent. "This may mean that they access social media without …

Australia’s plan to ban children from social media proves popular and problematic
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Australia’s plan to ban children from social media proves popular and problematic

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — How do you protect children from the harms of social media? The Australian government’s plan to ban children from social media platforms including X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram until their 16th birthdays is politically popular. More than 140 such experts signed an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemning the 16-year age limit as “too blunt …

Australia's plan to ban children from social media proves popular and problematic
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Australia's plan to ban children from social media proves popular and problematic

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Australian government’s plan to ban children from social …

Social media 'duty of care' laws would force online giants to take preventative action on mental health harms
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Social media 'duty of care' laws would force online giants to take preventative action on mental health harms

ABC  

Social media companies would be required to take proactive steps to keep Australians safe online under a federal government plan to legislate a "Digital Duty of Care". Strong penalties for companies that fail to take preventative action The new duty would be in addition to the government's move to ban children and teens younger than 16 from using social media, …

Australia bans social media for kids under 16
2 months ago

Australia bans social media for kids under 16

India Today  

Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, announced on Thursday that the government will introduce legislation to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms. “The onus won’t be on parents or young people.” IMPACT ON MAJOR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS Communications Minister Michelle Rowland clarified that the new regulations would apply to major platforms such as Meta’s Instagram and Facebook, ByteDance’s …

Australia to ban social media for children under 16 from November; PM Albanese says, ‘This one is for mums and dads…’
2 months ago

Australia to ban social media for children under 16 from November; PM Albanese says, ‘This one is for mums and dads…’

Live Mint  

Australia Social Media Ban: In a world-first move, the Australian government has announced plans to introduce legislation that will ban children under the age of 16 from using social media. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday his government would introduce this month the legislation to ban social media for children under 16 years. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Bold …

Australia proposes social media ban for children under the age of 16
Top News
2 months ago

Australia proposes social media ban for children under the age of 16

NPR  

Australia proposes social media ban for children under the age of 16 toggle caption MICK TSIKAS/AAP MELBOURNE, Australia — The Australian government announced on Thursday what it described as world-leading legislation that would institute an age limit of 16 years for children to start using social media, and hold platforms responsible for ensuring compliance. Sponsor Message The Digital Industry Group …

AI-generated child sex abuse content increasingly found on open web – watchdog
2 months, 3 weeks ago

AI-generated child sex abuse content increasingly found on open web – watchdog

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy AI-generated child sexual abuse content is increasingly being found on publicly accessible areas …

Ofcom vows to ‘come down hard’ on social media firms that fail to protect children online
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Ofcom vows to ‘come down hard’ on social media firms that fail to protect children online

The Telegraph  

Her comments came as Ofcom, the online regulator, set out the timetable for companies to comply with the new Online Safety Act. The regulator said that in December it will publish the “first edition” of its codes and guidance setting out how companies should protect users from illegal harms including child sex abuse, terrorism, assisting suicide, harassment, hate offences and …

Platforms, not parents, to be responsible for social media age limit, but penalties as yet undecided
2 months, 4 weeks ago

Platforms, not parents, to be responsible for social media age limit, but penalties as yet undecided

ABC  

Social media platforms will bear the onus of enforcing the federal government's age limit, not parents, the communications minister has confirmed. Michelle Rowland told the ABC's News Breakfast on Friday the government's age limit "trial," a fact-finding mission to understand the capabilities of platforms in this space, has shown that they "have the capacity to do more and they should …

Albanese plans social media ban for children
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Albanese plans social media ban for children

China Daily  

Australians have become attentive to the recent announcement of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who plans to ban children from social media platforms amid growing fears that these sites are having a negative impact on their development. Health experts said the overuse of social media can lead to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and depression as young people compare themselves with others …

Social media platforms engaged in ‘vast surveillance’ and failed to protect young people, FTC finds
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Social media platforms engaged in ‘vast surveillance’ and failed to protect young people, FTC finds

LA Times  

Social media apps and video streaming services are still facing scrutiny from U.S. regulators over youth safety and privacy concerns. Major social media platforms and video streaming services that gather a “staggering” amount of data from their users have failed to protect young people and safeguard online privacy, the Federal Trade Commission said Thursday. “These surveillance practices can endanger people’s …

Children and young teenagers could be banned from using social media, minister says
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Children and young teenagers could be banned from using social media, minister says

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Children in the …

Online gaming sites would need to prove they are 'a force for good' to be exempt from SA's social media ban
3 months, 4 weeks ago

Online gaming sites would need to prove they are 'a force for good' to be exempt from SA's social media ban

ABC  

After struggling to form new friendships in high school during the pandemic, Lee Ann Phie found a supportive community through online video gaming. What we know about the promise to ban children from social media Photo shows Picture of a smartphone screen with apps including facebook, instagram and youtube A social media ban that could capture the most popular video …

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