It’s not the US or the United Kingdom: this country plans to ban social media for children under 16
The Australian government has introduced a landmark bill in parliament aimed at banning children from social media.
Parents, rejoice! At least those in Australia, anyway. The Oceanic nation is taking a stand against the potential harms of social media on young minds.
Under groundbreaking legislation, social media giants like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X could face hefty fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (approximately $32.5 million) if they fail to prevent minors aged under 16 from creating account.
The plan, “places the onus on social media platforms, not parents or children, to ensure protections are in place, ” said Communications Minister Michelle Rowland.
The plan would trial a verification system using biometrics or government identification, leading to concerns about data protection, especially of children.
Are there similar laws in the US?
The primary law governing children’s online privacy in the US is the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). This law requires online services and sites to obtain parental consent when collecting personal data from children under 13 years old, leading to the general age 13 cut-off for most social media sites.
Related stories
Florida recently passed a law banning children under 14 from having social media accounts, with those aged 14-15 requiring parental consent. This state-level approach is similar to the variations seen in EU countries under GDPR data protection, where member states can set age limits between 13 and 16
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment