Australia has today become the first country to ban social media for teenagers under the age of 16, blocking access to them.
Australia has today become the first country to ban social media for teenagers under the age of 16, blocking access to them.
According to Reuters, this move was approved by many parents and children’s rights advocates, but criticized by big tech companies and free speech advocates.
So from today, 10 of the biggest social media platforms, including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, have been ordered to block access for Australian children or face fines of up to $33 million.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it a «proud day» for families and presented the law as proof that politicians can limit the harm to children online.
«This will have a huge impact. This is one of the biggest social and cultural changes our country has faced. This is a profound reform that will continue to resonate around the world,» Albanese said at a press conference on Wednesday.
Instead, Albanese encouraged children to «start taking up a new sport, playing a new instrument, or reading that book that’s been sitting on the shelf for a while.»
A few hours before the ban took effect, some Australian teenagers began posting messages saying goodbye to their online followers.
According to government data, just before the ban came into effect, 86% of Australians aged eight to 15 used social media.
Previously, dev.ua wrote that the Danish government is preparing a ban on social media for teenagers under 15.
