Australia considers tougher enforcement of social media ban for teens
The government is weighing stronger enforcement and a digital duty of care after eSafety said 4.7 million under-16 accounts were removed or restricted.
- On Friday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Australia will strengthen its social media ban for under-16s, ensuring the laws are "as strong as possible" to withstand legal challenges.
- A new study published in the British Medical Journal found 85% of Australians aged 12 to 15 still use social media three months after the ban took effect, showing little substantive reduction in teen use.
- ESafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant described the legislation as having "very thin scaffolding" and stated she lacks "potent powers" to enforce compliance; platforms face fines of up to $49.5 million.
- Seeking to check the "power" of "unaccountable" tech giants, Albanese's government is considering a "duty of care" to regulate algorithmic systems that drive users toward "more and more extreme positions."
- While Reddit pursues a High Court challenge, Britain has also announced tightening restrictions this month; two-thirds of underage users reportedly bypass bans by self-declaring ages over 16.
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17 Articles
Australia’s teen social media ban works on paper, less so in practice
A law is only as strong as the door it actually closes, and Australia’s ban on social media for under-16s appears to have left a window open. On 26 June, six months after the world-first measure took effect, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was keen to make the ban as strong as possible, after […] This story continues at The Next Web
A large part of Australians between the ages of 12 and 15 seem to find ways to bypass social media barriers. The government wants to review the law.
Australia considers tougher enforcement of social media ban for teens
Australia's prime minister said on Friday he was keen to make sure the country's social media ban for children was as strong as possible, as a new study found that the measure — the first of its kind and now six months old — had little impact on teen use.
Sydney Morning Herald
Government flags strengthening social media ban
The prime minister has indicated Australia's social media ban may be strengthened.
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