[Lauren]

AUSTRALIA’S GOVERNMENT IS INTRODUCING A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD BAN CHILDREN UNDER 16 FROM SOCIAL MEDIA.

THE COUNTRY’S PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE IS CALLING IT “WORLD-LEADING” LEGISLATION. 

social media is doing harm to our kids.. And I’m calling time on it. Ive spoken to thousands of parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. They like me are worried sick about the safety of our kids online. I want Australian parents and families to know that the government has your back. I want parents to be able to say sorry mate it’s against the law for me to get you to do this. 

THE PROPOSED LAW WILL GO TO AUSTRALIA’S PARLIAMENT NEXT WEEK.

IT WOULD BE A CONTRAST FROM OTHER PROPOSED BANS – IN THAT IT WOULD NOT ALLOW PARENTAL CONSENT TO OVERTURN IT FOR THOSE UNDER 16. 

THE PLATFORMS INCLUDING X, TIKTOK, INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK WOULD ALSO BE PENALIZED FOR VIOLATING THE AGE LIMIT, BUT THE CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS WOULD NOT. 

META’S HEAD OF SAFETY, ANTIGONE DAVIS SAYS THE COMPANY WOULD RESPECT THE AGE LIMITATIONS.

BUT WENT ON TO SAY … 

QUOTE – “WHAT’S MISSING IS A DEEPER DISCUSSION ON HOW WE CAN IMPLEMENT PROTECTIONS, OTHERWISE WE RISK MAKING OURSELVES FEEL BETTER, LIKE WE HAVE TAKEN ACTION, BUT TEENS AND PARENTS WILL NOT FIND THEMSELVES IN A BETTER PLACE. 

SHE ADDED THAT STRONGER TOOLS AND OPERATING SYSTEMS FOR PARENTS TO CONTROL WHAT APPS THEIR CHILDREN USE WOULD BE A GOOD SOLUTION. 

JACKIE HALLAN, A DIRECTOR AT THE YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE “REACH OUT” OPPOSES THE BAN SAYING THAT 73 PERCENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS AUSTRALIA USE SOCIAL MEDIA FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT. 

SOME CHILD PSYCHOLOGISTS THINK 12 OR 13 MAY BE A MORE REALISTIC AGE FOR THE BAN. 

ALBANESE SAYS THERE WOULD BE EXCLUSIONS AND EXEMPTIONS IN CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS A NEED TO CONTINUE ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.

THE LEGISLATION WOULD GO INTO EFFECT 12 MONTHS AFTER IT PASSES.

FOR SAN – I’M LAUREN TAYLOR. 

FOR ALL YOUR LATEST NEWS HEADLINES – DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP TODAY.