More than 1.6 million social media accounts are owned by underage children
2 years, 1 month ago

More than 1.6 million social media accounts are owned by underage children

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 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 }} More than 1.6 million social media accounts owned by children are falsely registered with an adult age, a survey by the advertising regulator suggests. This mean more than 3.6 million social media accounts owned by young people carried false ages, the ASA said. With many children registering on social media with a false age, it’s vital that marketers of age-restricted ads consider their choice of media Guy Parker, ASA director Of the 11,424 ads seen by the children, 435 were age-restricted. “With many children registering on social media with a false age, it’s vital that marketers of age-restricted ads consider their choice of media, use multiple, layered data to target their ads away from young people and monitor the performance of their campaigns.

Social Media Children Media Social Age Ads Young Young People Asa Accounts  verifyerrors  asa  16  young  set  social  underage  million  owned  media  children  age  ads  accounts

History of this topic

Kidfluencers on a timeout as proposed data protection rules force an industry rethink
3 days, 9 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 …

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 …

New 2025 laws hit hot topics — including AI in movies and rapid-fire guns
1 week, 5 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
2 weeks 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 …

How UK watchdog plans to 'drive out' children from social media sites
2 weeks, 4 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 …

How will Australia's under-16 social media ban work? We asked the law's enforcer
3 weeks, 1 day 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, 3 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, 3 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 …

California to consider requiring mental health warnings on social media sites
1 month 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 …

Cut risks, not potential, of social media for young with Instagram Teen Accounts
1 month ago

Cut risks, not potential, of social media for young with Instagram Teen Accounts

India Today  

Being a great communication and learning tool for teenagers, managing the use of social media by them is becoming increasingly important. The idea behind Instagram Teen Accounts is to place teens in built-in protections and reassure parents that their children are having safe experiences. “Parents and educators play a vital role in managing teenagers’ social media experiences. Using these features, …

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 …

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 …

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 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 …

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, …

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 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 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 passes legislation banning under-16s from social media
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia passes legislation banning under-16s from social media

Al Jazeera  

Social media companies that do not enforce the ban could receive fines of up to AUS$50 million. 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. Before the vote in parliament, Albanese said social media was “a platform for peer pressure, a driver …

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 …

Australia takes step to ban under 16s from social media
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia takes step to ban under 16s from social media

Raw Story  

by Laura CHUNG / Andrew BEATTY Australian lawmakers moved a step closer to banning under 16s from social media platforms Wednesday, threatening companies that fail to comply with multimillion-dollar fines. Social media firms -- who could face fines of up to Aus$50 million for failing to impose the ban -- have described the laws as "vague", "problematic" and "rushed". In …

Google & Meta Want Australia To Put Social Media Ban For Children Under 16 Bill On Hold, Here's Why
Top News
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Google & Meta Want Australia To Put Social Media Ban For Children Under 16 Bill On Hold, Here's Why

ABP News  

Australia is inching towards banning social media for minors who are under the age of 16 and social media giants are trying to counter it in any way that they can. Google and Facebook have now come forward with the demand of delaying the bill that will ban most forms of social media for children under the age of 16. …

Australian father of teen sextortion victim backs banning young children from social media
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australian father of teen sextortion victim backs banning young children from social media

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — Wayne Holdsworth became an advocate for banning Australian children younger than 16 from social media because his son took his own life after falling victim to an online sextortion scam. “There is no evidence that banning young people from social media will work and to make it law in the form proposed is highly problematic,” X said. …

Australian father of teen sextortion victim backs banning young children from social media
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australian father of teen sextortion victim backs banning young children from social media

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 Wayne Holdsworth became an advocate …

Amid Google-Facebook pressure, Australia takes another step to ban social media for children
1 month, 2 weeks 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, 2 weeks 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, 2 weeks 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 …

Social media age ban inquiry flooded with 15,000 submissions after Elon Musk weighs in
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Social media age ban inquiry flooded with 15,000 submissions after Elon Musk weighs in

ABC  

A rushed inquiry into the government's proposed laws to ban children and young teenagers from social media has been inundated with about 15,000 submissions, despite having only been open for 24 hours. Musk questions government's motive Under Labor's plans, children younger than 16 will be barred from using social media platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and X. "The government's deal …

Young Australians weigh in on under-16 social media ban as senators meet over plan
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Young Australians weigh in on under-16 social media ban as senators meet over plan

ABC  

Senators and experts will gather in Canberra today to discuss the federal government's social media ban for under-16s. Young people say the social media ban will make it harder for them to communicate with each other. But Sadie said she was not too worried about a proposed social media ban for kids her age. It is unclear how platforms will …

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 …

'Backdoor Way To Control Access To Internet...': Elon Musk Slams Australia's Social Media Ban For Teens Under 16
1 month, 2 weeks ago

'Backdoor Way To Control Access To Internet...': Elon Musk Slams Australia's Social Media Ban For Teens Under 16

ABP News  

US billionaire Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform X, has openly criticised Australia’s proposed legislation aimed at restricting social media access for children under the age of 16. Elon Musk, who claims to be the champion of free speech, while responding to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's post said, “Seems like a backdoor way to control access to …

Australia social media ban: Is restricting all under-16s from social apps really the answer?
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australia social media ban: Is restricting all under-16s from social apps really the answer?

CNN  

Brisbane, Australia CNN — Kirra Pendergast talks to thousands of teenagers each year in her role as a cyber safety educator. The Australian government hopes to pass what it calls “world-leading” legislation this week to wipe social media accounts – including Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit and X – from the devices of children under 16. Children who’ve killed themselves …

Elon Musk rips Australia's social media ban: Backdoor way to control access
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Elon Musk rips Australia's social media ban: Backdoor way to control access

India Today  

US billionaire Elon Musk, owner of social media platform X, has criticised Australia's proposed law to ban social media for children under 16 and fine social media platforms of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars for companies for systemic breaches. Several countries have already vowed to curb social media use by children through legislation, but Australia's policy could become one …

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’s parliament considers legislation banning social media for under 16s
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australia’s parliament considers legislation banning social media for under 16s

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia’s communications minister introduced a world-first law into Parliament on Thursday that would ban children under 16 from social media, saying online safety was one of parents’ toughest challenges. One quarter have been exposed to content promoting unsafe eating habits.” Government research found that 95% of Australian care-givers find online safety to be one of their “toughest …

Australia proposes $32m fine for social media firms flouting under-16s ban
Trending News
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australia proposes $32m fine for social media firms flouting under-16s ban

Al Jazeera  

Under bill, platforms like Instagram and X would be given one year to find ways of restricting access to minors. Australia’s centre-left government has introduced a “landmark” bill in parliament to ban children under 16 from social media. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said on Thursday that the proposed law “places the onus on social media platforms, not parents or children, …

Social media platforms to face $50 million fines under social media ban, now to include Snapchat
Trending News
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Social media platforms to face $50 million fines under social media ban, now to include Snapchat

ABC  

Social media companies will be threatened with up to $50 million fines for systematically breaching age verification laws, under an Albanese government plan to ban under 16s from the platforms. The government will introduce legislation to parliament today to require social media companies to block children under 16, using age assurance technology that is yet to be determined. Communications Minister …

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