Editorial: Social media is hurting kids. Why hasn’t government stepped in?
2 years, 7 months ago

Editorial: Social media is hurting kids. Why hasn’t government stepped in?

LA Times  

A group of teens look at a photographs on a smartphone in Times Square in New York City. “We make body image issues worse for 1 in 3 teen girls.” “Teens blame Instagram for increases in the rate of anxiety and depression.” Those findings from the company’s internal research were among many alarming disclosures made public last year when former Facebook product manager Frances Haugen blew the whistle on the social media giant. Assembly Bill 2408 would hold social media companies liable for harm caused to children who become addicted to their platforms, essentially prodding the companies to eliminate addictive features from minors’ accounts and giving parents new rights to sue if they don’t. This bipartisan legislation would require social media platforms to create tools allowing parents to modify algorithms and eliminate features, such as auto-play, that extend time online. The effect of technology “almost certainly varies from person to person,” the surgeon general’s report says, citing research that shows both negative and positive consequences of teens’ social media use.

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History of this topic

How will Australia's under-16 social media ban work? We asked the law's enforcer
5 days, 13 hours 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
1 week 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
1 week 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?
1 week, 4 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 …

California bill would require mental health warnings on social media sites
2 weeks 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
2 weeks 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 …

Proposed California law would require warning labels on social media
2 weeks, 1 day ago

Proposed California law would require warning labels on social media

LA Times  

Victoria Hinks watched her daughter get sucked into the dark sides of social media, and she couldn’t pull her out. Rob Bonta and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan in announcing proposed legislation that would require social media companies to warn California users their platforms could pose risks to the mental health and well-being of young people. In an op-ed published in the …

Texas weighs social media bans for minors as schools and police face challenges
2 weeks, 4 days 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?
2 weeks, 6 days 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?
2 weeks, 6 days 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 …

Australia's social media ban for under-16s sparks debate
3 weeks, 1 day 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
3 weeks, 1 day 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 PM says he is 'ready to engage' with Musk on social media ban for teens amid backlash
Top News
3 weeks, 2 days 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 …

JUST SPAMMING | Can social media be kept out of the child's reach?
3 weeks, 2 days 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
3 weeks, 3 days 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 …

'Serious concerns': Meta and other social media companies slam Australia's social media ban for teens
3 weeks, 4 days 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?
3 weeks, 4 days 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
3 weeks, 4 days 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 …

Australia bans social media for kids under 16. But how will this even work?
3 weeks, 4 days 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
3 weeks, 4 days 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
3 weeks, 4 days 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
3 weeks, 4 days 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
3 weeks, 4 days 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
3 weeks, 4 days 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
3 weeks, 4 days 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 …

Australia becomes first country to ban social media for under-16s with landmark law; Oppn says, ‘Will cut off LGBTQI’
3 weeks, 4 days 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
3 weeks, 4 days 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
3 weeks, 5 days 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
3 weeks, 5 days 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
3 weeks, 5 days 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
3 weeks, 5 days 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
3 weeks, 5 days 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
3 weeks, 5 days 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
3 weeks, 5 days 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
3 weeks, 5 days 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
3 weeks, 5 days 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
3 weeks, 6 days 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 …

Australia Moves Step Closer To Banning Young Children From Social Media
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Australia Moves Step Closer To Banning Young Children From Social Media

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia’s House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban children younger than 16 years old from social media, leaving it to the Senate to finalize the world-first law. Critics also argue the ban would isolate children, deprive them of positive aspects of social media, drive children to the dark web, make …

Google & Meta Want Australia To Put Social Media Ban For Children Under 16 Bill On Hold, Here's Why
Top News
3 weeks, 6 days 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. …

Australia passes landmark bill seeking social media ban for children under 16
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Australia passes landmark bill seeking social media ban for children under 16

Hindustan Times  

Australia moved closer to implementing a ban on social media use for children under 16, after the country's House of Representatives passed the bill on Wednesday, according to Reuters. - Prime Minister Albanese, seeking to improve his approval ratings ahead of the upcoming May election, has highlighted the physical and mental health risks posed by excessive social media use among …

Australian father of teen sextortion victim backs banning young children from social media
3 weeks, 6 days 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. …

Amid Google-Facebook pressure, Australia takes another step to ban social media for children
3 weeks, 6 days 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 …

‘Even if law helps in just smallest of ways…’: Australia passes bill to ban young children from social media
Trending News
3 weeks, 6 days ago

‘Even if law helps in just smallest of ways…’: Australia passes bill to ban young children from social media

Live Mint  

Australia's House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban children younger than 16 years old from social media, leaving it to the Senate to finalise the world-first law. Critics also argue the ban would isolate children, deprive them of positive aspects of social media, drive children to the dark web, make children too young for social media …

Australia’s House of Representatives passes bill that would ban young children from social media
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Australia’s House of Representatives passes bill that would ban young children from social media

The Hindu  

Australia’s House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban children younger than 16 years old from social media, leaving it to the Senate to finalize the world-first law. The major parties backed the bill that would make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars for …

Australia passes bill to ban young children from social media, first country in world to put restrictions
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Australia passes bill to ban young children from social media, first country in world to put restrictions

India TV News  

Social media ban: Australia's House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a groundbreaking bill aimed at banning children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. Social media platforms to have one year to implement age restrictions The legislation was passed with 102 votes in favour to 13 against. Australia, first one to put restrictions on social media Australia …

Australia moves step closer to world-first social media ban for under-16s
Top News
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Australia moves step closer to world-first social media ban for under-16s

Al Jazeera  

The House of Representatives votes overwhelmingly to pass legislation targeting platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Australia’s lower house of parliament has voted overwhelmingly to pass a landmark bill banning the use of social media by children under 16. Opposition lawmaker Dan Tehan said the government had agreed to amendments made in the Senate that would bolster privacy protections for …

Australian House of Representatives passes bill to ban social media for children
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Australian House of Representatives passes bill to ban social media for children

India Today  

Australia’s House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban children younger than 16 years old from social media, leaving it to the Senate to finalise the world-first law. Critics also argue the ban would isolate children, deprive them of positive aspects of social media, drive children to the dark web, make children too young for social media …

Australia pushes for social media ban for kids under 16: Here are the rules
3 weeks, 6 days 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 …

Australia’s social media ban for kids is closer to becoming law
Top News
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Australia’s social media ban for kids is closer to becoming law

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia’s House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban children younger than 16 years old from social media, leaving it to the Senate to finalize the world-first law. Critics also argue the ban would isolate children, deprive them of positive aspects of social media, drive children to the dark web, make children too young …

It’s Time to Make the Internet Safer for Kids
4 weeks ago

It’s Time to Make the Internet Safer for Kids

Wired  

In the real world, we have more than a century of experience figuring out how to share the world with children in order to keep them safe while still allowing adults to engage in adult-only activities, particularly those involving sex, violence, and addictive substances. However, following the temperance movement’s efforts to publicize alcohol’s harmful effects on families, women, and children, …

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