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 also being mandated on websites in the UK under the Online Safety Act. Requiring all users to prove their age involves intrusive data collection and undermines privacy rights – mandating people to upload biometric scans, copies of government-issued IDs, or other sensitive materials online. A breach could expose sensitive information about both adults and children – as every user will have to provide their personal data to prove their age – making everyone more vulnerable to online exploitation.

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History of this topic

Kidfluencers on a timeout as proposed data protection rules force an industry rethink
2 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 …

Government to soon make parental consent mandatory for children to use social media
5 days, 9 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 …

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 …

'Game-changing': Australia regulator calls for U.S. to follow its lead
1 week, 1 day ago

'Game-changing': Australia regulator calls for U.S. to follow its lead

Raw Story  

An online safety regulator focused on harm remediation would be a “game-changing” addition to the U.S. government, according to Australia’s eSafety commissioner. Grant told Politico in an interview that Australia’s online safety law – which she noted is “very bipartisan” – is a way to protect citizens from companies that are “ostensibly causing some harm.” “If we had a fellow …

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 …

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' …

Insider Q&A: High hopes for Australia social media ban and channeling parental ‘fury’ over tech
3 weeks, 2 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 …

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  

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'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 …

Dangers still lurk for young social media users in chatrooms like Roblox
1 month, 1 week ago

Dangers still lurk for young social media users in chatrooms like Roblox

ABC  

MIKE LORIGAN, REPORTER: It’s a platform millions of kids use every day. MIKE LORIGAN: In September, a predator contacted this UK mother’s nine-year-old daughter on Roblox. This is the most important thing you’re going to hear all day to keep you safe on the game, okay, if you treat Roblox like it’s a giant shopping centre, if someone asks you …

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 …

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, …

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 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 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 …

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 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 approves social media ban for under-16s in landmark move
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia approves social media ban for under-16s in landmark move

India TV News  

In a historic decision, the Australian government on Thursday passed a law approving a social media ban for children under 16. About the law The newly introduced social media minimum age bill, starting in January, will undergo a trial enforcement phase, following which it will be implemented in 2025. Significantly, the legislation positions Australia as a trailblazer in addressing social …

A social media ban in Australia for children under 16 will be first in the world
Top News
1 month, 1 week ago

A social media ban in Australia for children under 16 will be first in the world

NPR  

A social media ban in Australia for children under 16 will be first in the world toggle caption Rick Rycroft/AP MELBOURNE, Australia — A social media ban for children under 16 passed the Australian Senate Thursday and will soon become a world-first law. Sen. David Shoebridge, from the minority Greens party, said mental health experts agreed that the ban could …

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 …

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