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 required of them,” DIGI managing director Sunita Bose said. Sen. David Shoebridge, from the minority Greens party, said mental health experts agreed that the ban could dangerously isolate many children who used social media to find support. “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 Senate. Online safety campaigner Sonya Ryan, whose 15-year-old daughter Carly was murdered by a 50-year-old pedophile who pretended to be a teenager online, described the Senate vote as a “monumental moment in protecting our children from horrendous harms online.” “It’s too late for my daughter, Carly, and the many other children who have suffered terribly and those who have lost their lives in Australia, but let us stand together on their behalf and embrace this together,” she said.

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History of this topic

Australia frets over Meta halt to U.S. fact-checking
14 hours, 46 minutes ago

Australia frets over Meta halt to U.S. fact-checking

The Hindu  

Australia is deeply concerned by Meta's decision to scrap U.S. fact-check operations on its Facebook and Instagram platforms, a senior minister said Thursday. The government -- which has been at the forefront of efforts to rein in social media giants -- was worried about a surge of false information spreading online, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said. Social media restrictions Australia has …

Kidfluencers on a timeout as proposed data protection rules force an industry rethink
2 days, 20 hours ago

Kidfluencers on a timeout as proposed data protection rules force an industry rethink

Live Mint  

Kids moonlighting as influencers might have to pause their business ambitions for a while as their parents and companies decipher the government’s proposed rules for monitoring social media use by children. The first draft of the rules to enforce the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 prescribes that children under 18 cannot use social media without the explicit consent of …

Government to soon make parental consent mandatory for children to use social media
5 days, 20 hours ago

Government to soon make parental consent mandatory for children to use social media

India TV News  

The eagerly anticipated draft of the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules was unveiled by the Central Government on Friday. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology released this draft of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, which was initially introduced in Parliament in August 2023. One significant change proposed in the Digital Personal Data Protection Act is that children under …

Children below 18 will need parents' consent to create social media account: Draft rules
Top News
6 days, 4 hours ago

Children below 18 will need parents' consent to create social media account: Draft rules

Hindustan Times  

The draft of Digital Personal Data Protection rules, released by the central government on Friday, stated that children under the age of 18 will now require parental consent to create social media accounts. “A data fiduciary shall adopt appropriate technical and organization measures to ensure that verifiable consent of the parent is obtained before the processing of any personal data …

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

Greece PM Mitsotakis introduces campaign against serious ‘website addiction’
1 week, 3 days ago

Greece PM Mitsotakis introduces campaign against serious ‘website addiction’

Hindustan Times  

Greece on Monday announced a campaign to protect teens from "website addiction" after a similar move by Australia targeting social media companies last month. Conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said his government would introduce a "step-by-step" national strategy to inform parents and children, and encourage social media firms to "show responsibility". In a speech to the United Nations in September, …

New 2025 laws hit hot topics — including AI in movies and rapid-fire guns
1 week, 4 days ago

New 2025 laws hit hot topics — including AI in movies and rapid-fire guns

LA Times  

In California, where entertainment unions went on strike in 2023, new laws seek to require permission to use digital replicas, or artificial intelligence, of performers’ likenesses. Here’s a look at some of the most notable laws taking effect in various states: Hollywood stars and child influencers California, home to Hollywood and some of the largest technology companies, is seeking to …

New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns
1 week, 6 days ago

New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns

Associated Press  

Name a hot topic, and chances are good there’s a new law about it taking effect in 2025 in one state or another. Here’s a look at some of the most notable state laws taking effect: Hollywood stars and child influencers California, home to Hollywood and some of the largest technology companies, is seeking to rein in the artificial intelligence …

What is Australia’s Online Safety Amendment about? | Explained
2 weeks ago

What is Australia’s Online Safety Amendment about? | Explained

The Hindu  

The story so far: Australia’s House of Representatives recently passed the “Online Safety Amendment Bill, 2024” which imposes obligation on certain social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent children under 16 years of age from having an account. Children are usually unable to create social media accounts under the age of 13 years, a restriction imposed by global …

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 …

Australia’s social media ban won’t protect kids – it’ll put them more at risk
2 weeks, 5 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' …

D66 calls for social media age limit of 15 to cut addiction
3 weeks, 2 days ago

D66 calls for social media age limit of 15 to cut addiction

Dutch News  

Teenagers under the age of 15 should not be allowed to use social media because it is addictive and affecting their sleep and school performance, says the Dutch Liberal democratic party D66. “Tech giants are harming children’s health because social media channels have been designed to be extremely addictive,” D66 MP Hanneke van der Werff told RTL Nieuws. Research has …

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 …

Insider Q&A: High hopes for Australia social media ban and channeling parental ‘fury’ over tech
3 weeks, 3 days ago

Insider Q&A: High hopes for Australia social media ban and channeling parental ‘fury’ over tech

Associated Press  

Julie Scelfo started MAMA — Mothers Against Media Addiction — earlier this year to help parents fight back against the harms of social media on children. A former journalist, Scelfo says she was inspired to take action after reporting on the youth mental health crisis and how screens and social media are affecting young people’s lives. Scelfo says the group …

Can parents get behind the Aussie ban on social media for kids?
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Can parents get behind the Aussie ban on social media for kids?

Live Mint  

“I wish I could move to Australia!" That was a sentiment expressed by a mother of two teen boys soon after she heard about Australia’s recent decision to bar children under 16 from using social media. Of course, parents need to set strict boundaries with children and not have to rely on a ban, but let’s face it, social media …

Sweden mulling online access age limits
4 weeks, 1 day ago

Sweden mulling online access age limits

China Daily  

Danish Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard, Minister of Justice in Sweden Gunnar Strommer, Minister of Justice in Norway Emilie Enger Mehl, and the Minister of Justice for the Faroe Islands Bjarni K. Petersen hold a doorstep about the recruitment of children and young people via social media for organized crime, at the Ministry of Justice in Copenhagen, Denmark, Dec 9, …

California bill would require mental health warnings on social media sites
4 weeks, 2 days ago

California bill would require mental health warnings on social media sites

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 California, home to some of …

California to consider requiring mental health warnings on social media sites
4 weeks, 2 days ago

California to consider requiring mental health warnings on social media sites

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California, home to some of the largest technology companies in the world, would be the first U.S. state to require mental health warning labels on social media sites if lawmakers pass a bill introduced Monday. “The promise of social media, although real, has turned into a situation where they’re turning our children’s attention into a commodity,” Assemblymember …

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,” …

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?

New Indian Express  

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. Australia's new law, approved by its Parliament last week, is an attempt to swim against many tides of modern …

Elon Musk pushing agenda for X in social media ban criticism Australia PM Albanese says
Top News
1 month, 1 week ago

Elon Musk pushing agenda for X in social media ban criticism Australia PM Albanese says

The Hindu  

Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday that criticism by Elon Musk of Australia's social media ban on children under 16 was the X owner pushing an agenda for the social platform, while indicating he was open to talk to the billionaire about the ban, legislated this week. The ban, which the centre-left government says is world-leading, could strain …

Meta tightens ad rules to curb financial scams aimed at Australians
1 month, 1 week ago

Meta tightens ad rules to curb financial scams aimed at Australians

The Hindu  

Instagram and Facebook-owner Meta Platforms said on Monday it had introduced stricter rules for advertisers of financial products and services targeting Australians, in a bid to crack down on scams on the social media platforms. The move comes after Meta in October said it took down 8,000 so-called "celeb bait" ads, as part of an effort with Australian banks to …

Australia's social media ban for under-16s sparks debate
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia's social media ban for under-16s sparks debate

China Daily  

By Barry He in London | China Daily Global | Updated: 2024-12-02 11:18 A schoolboy looks at his phone in Melbourne on Nov 27, 2024 as Australia looks to ban children under 16 from social media. While many agree that social media can be harmful to the development of young people, a legally enforceable ban leaves many unsure of the …

Australia's social media ban for under-16s sparks debate
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia's social media ban for under-16s sparks debate

China Daily  

A schoolboy looks at his phone in Melbourne on Nov 27, 2024 as Australia looks to ban children under 16 from social media. While many agree that social media can be harmful to the development of young people, a legally enforceable ban leaves many unsure of the consequences. Instead, it should be the responsibilities of big tech companies to regulate …

Australia PM fires back at Elon Musk’s ‘backdoor to internet control’ remark on social media ban: ‘As the owner of X...’
Trending News
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia PM fires back at Elon Musk’s ‘backdoor to internet control’ remark on social media ban: ‘As the owner of X...’

Live Mint  

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and tech billionaire Elon Musk are at odds over a new law that bans children under 16 from joining social media platforms in Australia. The Ban: PM Albanese’s Stand Against Social Media Harms Anthony Albanese’s government passed the legislation last Thursday, targeting platforms like X, TikTok, and Instagram. Elon Musk Fires Back: “A Backdoor to …

Australia's PM says he is 'ready to engage' with Musk on social media ban for teens amid backlash
Top News
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia's PM says he is 'ready to engage' with Musk on social media ban for teens amid backlash

Firstpost  

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the parliament’s Thursday passage of landmark legislation requiring social media firms to take “reasonable steps” to prevent young teens from having accounts Australia’s prime minister said Sunday he was ready to “engage” with billionaire X owner Elon Musk over his criticism of the government’s ban on under-16s joining social media. Anthony Albanese hailed the …

Pushing an agenda for X: Australia PM on Musk's criticism of social media ban
Trending News
1 month, 1 week ago

Pushing an agenda for X: Australia PM on Musk's criticism of social media ban

India Today  

Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday that criticism by Elon Musk of Australia's social media ban on children under 16 was the X owner pushing an agenda for the social platform, while indicating he was open to talk to the billionaire about the ban, legislated this week. The ban, which the centre-left government says is world-leading, could strain …

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 …

Hand over your ID or your facial data? The would-you-rather buried in the teen social media ban
1 month, 1 week ago

Hand over your ID or your facial data? The would-you-rather buried in the teen social media ban

ABC  

In the months since Prime Minister Anthony Albanese mentioned to two commercial radio hosts that Australians under 16 probably shouldn't be on social media, teenagers, parents and pundits alike have been forced to guess how a seemingly inevitable ban would actually work. The ink is still drying on section 63DB of the bill — an addition specifying that social media …

Social media ban: How will it work and could it happen elsewhere?
1 month, 1 week ago

Social media ban: How will it work and could it happen elsewhere?

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. The ruling was passed by the country’s parliament this week and described by prime minister Anthony Albanese …

'Serious concerns': Meta and other social media companies slam Australia's social media ban for teens
1 month, 1 week ago

'Serious concerns': Meta and other social media companies slam Australia's social media ban for teens

Firstpost  

Most tech giants have said they will comply with the ban as the government has imposed a fine of up to $50m if they fail to do so The Australian government’s ban on social media for teens has caused an uproar not only among users but also among tech companies including Meta that has accused the administration of passing the …

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 …

How Australia’s social media ban for children compares to other countries
1 month, 1 week ago

How Australia’s social media ban for children compares to other countries

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 has enacted a law …

Australian social media ban started with call to act by politician's wife
1 month, 1 week ago

Australian social media ban started with call to act by politician's wife

Hindustan Times  

* Australian social media ban started with call to act by politician's wife Australia passes nationwide social media ban for under-16s * Ban sparked by state premier's quest after wife urged him to act * Rupert Murdoch's News Corp media campaign backed ban * Survey shows 77% of Australians support social media ban By Byron Kaye SYDNEY, - Since Meta …

How will social media ban be implemented?
1 month, 1 week ago

How will social media ban be implemented?

ABC  

Rachel Mealey: Well after a busy week in Canberra, the nation's federal politicians are returning to their electorates for the summer break ahead of next year's looming election. Among them was the government's headline-making social media ban for under 16s. Now that the social media ban bill has passed, the social media platforms have 12 months to work out how …

Australia bans social media for kids under 16. But how will this even work?
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia bans social media for kids under 16. But how will this even work?

Firstpost  

Australia has passed legislation to ban under-16s from having an account on social media platforms. Reuters The federal parliament has passed legislation to ban people under 16 from having an account with some social media platforms. The Social Media Minimum Age bill The legislation amends the current Online Safety Act 2021 and defines an “age-restricted user” as a person under …

Big tech says Australia "rushed" social media ban for youths
1 month, 1 week ago

Big tech says Australia "rushed" social media ban for youths

Hindustan Times  

SYDNEY - Big Tech corporations on Friday hit out at a landmark Australian law that bans youths under the age of 16 from accessing social media, saying the law was "rushed" through parliament. Big tech says Australia "rushed" social media ban for youths Australia approved the social media ban for children late on Thursday. "Last week, the parliament’s own committee …

Australia Faces Backlash Over Landmark Social Media Ban For Under-16 Users
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia Faces Backlash Over Landmark Social Media Ban For Under-16 Users

ABP News  

Social media platforms have criticised Australia's newly passed law prohibiting under-16s from joining their platforms, calling it a hastily introduced measure riddled with "many unanswered questions," as reported by AFP. UNICEF Australia expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the ban, warning it could drive children into "hidden and unregulated" corners of the internet, undermining efforts to ensure their online safety. …

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, …

Australia BANS social media for kids under 16: A global first in online safety
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia BANS social media for kids under 16: A global first in online safety

India TV News  

Australia has become the first country to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. The rule aims to address the rising concerns about the mental health risks which are associated with excessive social media usage, which further includes addiction, cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content. Image Source : FILESocial …

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 Bans Social Media for Anyone Under 16
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia Bans Social Media for Anyone Under 16

Bloomberg  

00:00 PETER JOINS US NOW, YOU HEAD UP OUR TEAM IN ASIA AND ACROSS THE WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY. PETER: WE HAVE SEEN GOVERNMENTS AROUND THE REAL STRUGGLE WITH THIS QUESTION, HOW MUCH ACCESS SHOULD MINORS HAVE TO SOCIAL MEDIA AND OTHER KINDS OF TECHNOLOGIES. CHINA, BECAUSE THEY HAVE MORE CENTRALIZED CONTROL OVER THESE THINGS, LIMITED HOW MUCH TIME KIDS COULD …

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 Passes Law To Ban Use Of Social Media For Under 16; First Country To Do So
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia Passes Law To Ban Use Of Social Media For Under 16; First Country To Do So

ABP News  

Australia's parliament approved groundbreaking legislation to prohibit children under 16 from using social media platforms. It requires social media companies to take "reasonable steps" to prevent underage teens from creating accounts. Similarly, 11-year-old Elsie Arkinstall expressed that social media still serves a purpose, especially for children interested in learning skills like baking or art through online tutorials. Social media expert …

Australia becomes first country to ban social media for under-16s with landmark law; Oppn says, ‘Will cut off LGBTQI’
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia becomes first country to ban social media for under-16s with landmark law; Oppn says, ‘Will cut off LGBTQI’

Live Mint  

Australia has become the first country to ban children under 16 from using social media, as the country's senate passed a law regarding the same, reported AP. “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 …

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