Teens in Australia banned from social media

​Teens in Australia banned from social media

By Darren Walshe

​Reading

​A big change has happened in the social media world. Australia has banned children under the age of 16 from joining many social networks. New laws say the under-16s cannot open accounts with sites like Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, and YouTube. It is now the responsibility of these social media sites to make sure all of their users are aged 16 or above. Australia's government said it would fine the companies if they allowed children to access their sites. The fines could be as much as $32.9 million. The companies said they would use different methods to check the age of their users. New users will have to upload identification and scan their faces.

Australia's Prime Minister said he introduced the ban because social media was harming young minds. He said a study showed that 70 per cent of children aged 10-15 who used social media looked at harmful content. This included information about misogyny, violence, eating disorders, and suicide. He advised children to do different things instead, like starting a new sport or learning to play a musical instrument. His message to children was: "Spend quality time with your friends and your family, face to face." Many children said they would now be lonelier without social media. Two 15-year-olds are suing Australia's government. They say their "right to free communication" has been taken away.

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Australia has banned children under 16 from using all social media websites.

​It bans under-16s from many social networks, not all websites.

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Social media companies are responsible for checking users’ ages.

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Companies could be fined if children are allowed to use their platforms.

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The Australian Prime Minister believes social media can harm young people.

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The study showed that most children only saw harmless content online.

​Many children saw harmful content such as violence and eating disorders.

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All children supported the ban and agreed with the government.

​Some children said they would feel lonelier, and two are suing the government.