Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced plans to ban children from using social media in an effort to improve their physical and mental health. The government will launch an age verification trial to determine the minimum age for access, likely between 14 and 16. Albanese stated that parents are concerned about the impact of social media on their children and want them to engage in physical activities like sports instead.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has also supported the idea of banning social media for those under 16, following the lead of countries like China and France as well as several U.S. states. However, critics argue that such measures limit young people’s freedom of expression and privacy rights.
Professor Daniel Angus from Queensland University of Technology called the proposed ban “reckless” and “populist,” warning that it could isolate young people from important online connections and push them towards potentially harmful online spaces. He believes that rather than restricting access, efforts should be made to improve the quality of content on social media platforms.
The debate around the regulation of social media for minors reflects growing concerns over the impact of online platforms on young people’s well-being. As Australia moves forward with plans to limit children’s access to social media, the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a ban will continue to be hotly debated.
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