Australia towards a total ban on social networks for under 16s?
Faced with the growing risks of social networks on young people, Australia is proposing radical legislation aimed at prohibiting access to these platforms to those under 16, a first which could change the situation on a global scale.
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A pioneering initiative from the Prime Minister
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a bold plan to prohibit the use of social networks by children under 16. This measure, described as a world-leading initiative, aims to protect young people from the dangers often associated with the use of these platforms. “Social media is harming our children, and it’s time to act,” Albanese told a news conference in Canberra.
Details of the proposed legislation
The legislation, which is expected to be presented to parliament next week, would impose responsibility on social media companies for enforce this age ban. The Prime Minister clarified that platforms would have to demonstrate that they take reasonable measures to prevent access by underage users. “There will be no sanctions for users,” he added.
Applications and scope of the ban
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the ban would affect major platforms such as Meta's Instagram and Facebook, ByteDance's TikTok, X, and potentially Alphabet's YouTube. The law should enter into force 12 months after its adoption.
Lack of exemptions and impact on existing users
Significantly, the ban would be applied uniformly without exemptions for parental consent. Children who already use social media will not be able to continue using their existing accounts; these will have to be closed.
Application et sanctions
The new rules will be enforced by Australia's Online Safety Commissioner, the country's internet regulator. Although specific penalties for non-compliance have not yet been detailed, the government has suggested that harsher penalties would be imposed on companies that do not cooperate.
Reactions from social media companies
Reactions from social media companies to this proposal range from cautious to nonexistent. Antigone Davis, head of security at Meta, expressed her company's respect for any new age limits imposed by the government, while advocating thoughtful implementation to truly protect young people.
France follows Australia's example by testing smartphone ban in colleges
Echoing the Australian initiative, France announces a radical experiment : nearly 200 colleges will completely ban the use of mobile phones from January 2025. This measure, presented by the resigning Minister of National Education, Nicole Belloubet, aims to combat distractions and online harassment, thus improving school climate and student performance.
A measure that creates debate
The plan has sparked debate among experts and rights groups. Some argue that an outright ban could simply delay the exposure of young people to social networks without truly preparing them to navigate these online spaces safely. Others, however, strongly support the ban, arguing that excessive use of social media is reconfiguring young people's brains at a crucial time in their psychological development, causing an epidemic of mental illness.
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This article explores the far-reaching implications of Australia's proposal to ban access to social media for under-16s. With varied and passionate arguments from both sides, this legislation could mark a turning point in how societies perceive and regulate young people's interaction with digital technologies.
Source : BBC
