"The Australian government are relying on the social media firms themselves to police the new law, saying they must take "reasonable steps" to prevent breaches, with punishments of up to AU $49.5 million (US $32 million, 27.5 million) for repeated offenses. Children or parents will not be punished should they break it."
"The office of Australia's eSafety Commissioner contends that the ban will protect young people "from pressures and risks that users can be exposed to while logged in to social media accounts." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called social media a "scourge" and said "I want people to spend more time on the footy field or the netball court than they're spending on their phones." Polls have consistently shown overwhelming support for the ban from adults, but it's a different story for the children directly affected."
At midnight, Australians under 16 were blocked from most social media sites as a nationwide age-restriction law took effect, while online gaming and messaging platforms remain unrestricted for now. Platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, YouTube and Reddit will be on a continuously updated restricted list. The government requires companies to take 'reasonable steps' to prevent breaches and faces fines up to AU $49.5 million for repeated offenses; children and parents face no penalties. Verification methods may include government IDs, face or voice recognition, or other digital ID. The eSafety Commissioner frames the ban as protection from online pressures, while opponents and teenagers cite rights and access concerns.
Read at www.dw.com
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