Australia has enacted the Social Media Minimum Age Bill, which mandates users to be at least 16 years old to create accounts on popular platforms. This initiative comes after increasing awareness of social media's negative impact on adolescents. The bill has broad support among Australian parents and legislators and was passed with bipartisan approval, with 77 percent public backing. However, it faces skepticism from tech companies and concerns from teenagers regarding reduced opportunities for social connection.
"Parents want their kids off their phones and on the footy field," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation last fall after the national ban was proposed.
"At first it seemed like a good idea, but over time, I've become more and more against it," says Elena Mitrevska, an 18-year-old who lives in Melbourne. "I honestly think it is removing spaces for connection and community."
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