Australian social media ban started with call to act by politician’s wife
Sydney, Australia Reuters Since Meta whistleblower Frances Haugen aired internal emails in 2021 showing the tech giant knew of social media’s mental health impacts on teenagers, world leaders have agonised over how to curb the technology’s addictive pull on young minds. Even a 2023 recommendation by the US surgeon general to put health warnings on […]
“I will still use it” vows youth, as Australia’s under-16 social media ban sparks anger and relief
Sydney, Australia Reuters Australians reacted on Friday with a mixture of anger and relief to a social media ban on children under 16 that the government says is world-leading, but which tech giants like TikTok argue could push young people to “darker corners of the internet”. Australia approved the social media ban for children late […]
Australian PM says social media firms now have a responsibility to protect kids
Updated: 11:10am (AEDT) Sydney, Australia Reuters Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday that social media platforms now have a responsibility to ensure the safety of children, after the country’s parliament passed a bill banning those under the age of 16 from using the services. Australia approved the social media ban for children on […]
Australia Senate committee backs bill to ban social media for children
Sydney, Australia Reuters An Australian Senate committee has backed a bill that would ban social media for children under 16 but said social media platforms should not force users to submit personal data such as passport and other digital identification to prove their age. Australia plans to trial an age-verification system that may include biometrics […]
Australia PM plays down privacy fears of social media ban for children
Sydney, Australia Reuters Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday social media firms would be required to destroy personal data used to verify ages of users, as part of what the government says is a world-leading ban on under-16s using the services. Australia plans to trial an age-verification system that may include biometrics or […]
Elon Musk blasts Australia’s planned ban on social media for children
Sydney, Australia Reuters US billionaire Elon Musk, owner of social media platform X, has criticised Australia’s proposed law to ban social media for children under 16 and fine social media platforms of up to $A49.5 million for companies for systemic breaches. Australia’s centre-left government on Thursday introduced the bill in parliament. It plans to try […]
Australia launches “landmark” bill to ban social media for children under 16
Sydney, Australia Reuters Australia’s centre-left government on Thursday introduced a bill in parliament that aims to ban social media for children under 16 and proposed fines of up to $A49.5 million for social media platforms for systemic breaches. Australia plans to trial an age-verification system that may include biometrics or government identification to enforce a […]
Australia’s planned social media ban raises teen isolation fears
Sydney, Australia Reuters For Tereza Hussein, a 14-year-old refugee who lives in Darwin, Australia’s planned social media ban would mean losing a direct line to the most important person to her: a grandmother she has never physically met. “It’s the only way I’ve ever connected to my grandma before, over socials,” said Hussein, who was […]
Australia plans social media minimum age limit, angering youth digital advocates
Updated: 5:30pm (AEST) Sydney, Australia Reuters Australia plans to set a minimum age limit for children to use social media citing concerns about mental and physical health, sparking a backlash from digital rights advocates who warn the measure could drive dangerous online activity underground. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his centre-left government would run an […]
Ugandans lose voice, digital rights in pre-poll blackout
Nairobi, Kenya Thomson Reuters Foundation Uganda’s ban on social media days before presidential elections shows a rattled President flexing power over the Internet at the expense of free speech and citizen rights, digital campaigners said on Wednesday. Tuesday’s ban by President Yoweri Museveni – who said he only acted because Facebook had removed accounts that […]