SOCIAL MEDIA BAN TO ENSURE AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN HAVE A CHILDHOOD: PM

CANBERRA, Dec 9 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Australia's world-first social media ban for under-16s will ensure that children have a childhood, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, reported Xinhua.

Albanese on Tuesday wrote to the leaders of Australia's states and territories to thank them for their support on the social media ban, which comes into effect on Wednesday, acknowledging that the reform will require some adjustment in the short term.

"This is the cultural change Australia needs to deliver greater peace of mind for parents and ensure Australian children have a childhood," he wrote.

Under laws that were passed by the federal parliament in November 2024, certain social media platforms must take "reasonable steps" to prevent children under 16 from having accounts.

So far, 10 social media platforms have been instructed to enforce the ban – Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X, YouTube, Kick and Reddit. Authorities may update the list as needed.

In a video message that will be played to students in schools around Australia, Albanese said that the government has made the change to support children who have grown up with algorithms, endless social media feeds and the pressure they bring.

Neither children nor their parents will be punished for breaching the ban under the laws, with the onus for enforcing it placed entirely on social media platforms.

Platforms that commit serious or repeated breaches will face fines worth up to AUD49.5 million (about US$32.8 million), though the government has accepted it will take some time for age assurance technology to identify all underage accounts.  

--BERNAMA-XINHUA