Australia passes world-first law banning under-16s from social media despite safety concerns

The online safety amendment bill aims to ban children under 16 from social media to combat mental health issues in youth, threatening penalties for non-compliance.

Critics warn that the hastily formulated ban risks pushing teens to the dark web or exacerbating feelings of isolation, raising concerns about its practical implementation.

The legislation lacks operational details, deferring specifics on enforcement mechanisms to a future trial of age-assurance technology expected to conclude by mid-2025.

The bill's passage, despite concerns, highlights a growing governmental focus on regulating social media amid rising anxiety over its impact on youth mental health.

Read at www.theguardian.com