The first country to ban people under 16 from using social networks

On November 28, the Australian Parliament passed the world's first law banning people under 16 from using social networks, according to CNN.

The Australian Senate approved the social media ban late on November 28, after months of intense public debate and a rushed parliamentary process that saw the bill introduced, debated and passed within a week, according to CNN.

Students use mobile phones displaying social media applications in Melbourne, Australia on November 28.

Under the new law, tech companies must take "reasonable steps" to prevent underage users from accessing social media services or face fines of nearly 50 million AUD (826 billion VND).

It’s the world’s toughest response to date to an issue where other countries have imposed restrictions but have not held companies accountable for violating nationwide bans. The ban is expected to apply to Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit and X, but that list could be expanded.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told lawmakers that "every serious government" was grappling with the impact of social media on young people, and the leaders he spoke to welcomed Australia's initiative on the issue.

"We know that social media can be a weapon for bullying behaviour... a vehicle for scammers. And worst of all, a tool for online predators," Mr Albanese told Australian lawmakers on November 25.

Defending the ban on under-16s using social media, Prime Minister Albanese said those aged 16 and over were better able to detect "fakes and dangers".

Before the bill passed, tech companies raised issues, pointing to arguments from opponents about privacy risks and dangers to children from circumventing the ban.

In it, Company X, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, said the platform was "not widely used by minors" but expressed concerns about the law's impact on children's freedom of speech.

Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, said it had been investing steadily in tools to make its platforms safer and "strongly" recommended the government wait for the results of age-assurance trials, which are expected next year.

Meanwhile, polls show Australians support a ban on social media for people under 16. A YouGov poll conducted this month found that 77% of Australians support a ban on people under 16. The poll was conducted in the second half of this month and surveyed 1,515 people, with a margin of error of 3.2%, according to CNN.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/quoc-gia-dau-tien-cam-nguoi-duoi-16-tuoi-dung-mang-xa-hoi-18524112906522424.htm