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Australia has become the first country in the world to introduce a social media ban for children and young people under the age of 16.<\/p>\n
They are no longer allowed to have their own accounts on major social media platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook and YouTube.<\/p>\n
The companies had a year to introduce age verification measures, and violations will result in heavy fines.<\/p>\n
Messaging services such as WhatsApp, emails, online games and educational offerings are exempt.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government wants to protect young people from risks such as cyberbullying, problematic consumption and distressing content with the law that came into force on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
He says he also wants to give them back a “normal childhood” free from endless scrolling.<\/p>\n
Critics claim the the ban is disproportionate, and a legal challenge to it has already been filed with the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n
Many are convinced that teenagers Down Under will simply switch to other services where risk and checks are even more difficult to monitor.<\/p>\n
Albanese recently admitted that the law is “not perfect” but said it will help save young lives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n