Although social media platforms can serve educational purposes, the unfortunate reality is that many teenagers spend excessive amounts of time glued to their screens, using apps like TikTok or Instagram without gaining any meaningful advantages for their lives. While parents in other countries might view this ban as excessive, Australia has determined that teenagers under 16 should not have access to social media. It will be interesting to see how the ban will be enforced when it takes effect at the end of next year. The next phase will begin in January 2025, when testing for enforcement methods will commence.
Implementation Challenges
“Even though there are lots of questions about how this law will actually work, we will collaborate closely with the Government and the eSafety Commissioner throughout the year-long implementation to find a way that respects privacy, safety, and practicality,” stated a representative from Snap, the parent company of Snapchat. Other services impacted by this new rule include Instagram, Threads, Facebook, TikTok, X, among others.
Public Support for the Bill
The newly passed Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 has gained surprising popularity among Australians. Recent polls show that a remarkable 77% of the public supports it. In contrast, the ban on under-14s in Florida is currently facing legal challenges, as critics argue it infringes on free speech. This law has been in effect since late March and also applies to teens aged 14 to 15, who must obtain parental permission to create a social media account.
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