Prime Minister Anthony Albanese labeled social media as a "platform for peer pressure, a driver of anxiety, a vehicle for scammers and, worst of all, a tool for online predators," emphasizing the need for young Australians to engage in physical activities instead of being glued to their phones.
The newly passed legislation imposes strict regulations requiring social media firms to take "reasonable steps" to prevent users under 16 from accessing their platforms, with companies facing hefty fines of up to Aus$50 million for non-compliance.
12-year-old Angus Lydom expressed discontent with the ban, claiming, "It'll be a weird feeling to not have it, and be able to talk to all my friends at home," suggesting that many youths might seek ways to circumvent the restrictions.
11-year-old Elsie Arkinstall argued for the relevance of social media, noting, "Kids and teens should be able to explore those techniques because you can't learn all those things from books," highlighting the educational potential of social media for younger audiences.
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