"Ten of the biggest platforms were ordered to block children or be fined up to Aus$49.5m (€28m) under the new law, which was criticised by major technology companies and free speech campaigners, but praised by parents and child advocates. The ban is being closely watched by other countries considering similar age-based measures as concerns mount over the effects of social media on children's health and safety."
"The rollout closes out a year of speculation about whether a country can block children from using technology that is built into modern life. It begins a live experiment that will be studied globally by legislators who want to intervene directly because they are frustrated by what they say is a tech industry that has been too slow to implement effective harm-minimisation efforts."
Australia ordered ten major platforms to block children or face fines up to Aus$49.5m, drawing criticism from technology companies and free-speech campaigners and praise from parents and child advocates. The ban is being watched internationally as governments consider similar age-based restrictions amid concerns about social media harms to children's health and safety. Observers call the measure a canary in the coal mine and say the rollout ends speculation about whether a country can block children from using ubiquitous technology. The policy initiates a live experiment after leaked internal Meta documents suggested links to teenage body image problems and suicidal thoughts. Most platforms (except X) plan age inference, selfie-based estimation, ID checks, or linked bank verification to comply, and the government will update the covered list as products and user choices change.
Read at Irish Independent
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