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Australia is set to introduce a new law banning children under 16 from using social media platforms ¹.
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The law aims to shield children from harmful online content, and platforms that do not comply with the regulations could face fines of up to AU$50 million ¹.
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The law allows platforms one year to implement the ban, and companies must delete personal data collected for age verification unless users consent to retain it ¹.
The Australian government has introduced a bill in parliament that would ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms ². This move is in response to growing concerns about the impact of unregulated online content on children’s mental and physical health ². The proposed law would require social media companies to use age verification systems to prevent minors from accessing their services ³.
This new law has been sparked by concerning statistics, with a government study revealing that two-thirds of Australian teenagers aged 14 to 17 have encountered harmful material online, and a quarter have come across content promoting unhealthy eating habits ¹. The law’s focus is on protecting children and supporting parents, rather than penalising users or companies ¹.
