Australia plans to ban kids under 16 from social media

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced plans to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms, reports Reuters.

And here’s the kicker: The proposed legislation, set to be introduced in Parliament later this month, would make social media companies responsible for enforcing the ban.

Better yet, there would be no exemptions for children with parental consent or existing accounts. No exceptions, folks.

This crackdown comes as anxieties mount over social media’s impact on kids’ mental well-being. Studies show teens glued to social media for over three hours a day are twice as likely to experience mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

And that’s not all – too much screen time has also been linked to sleep deprivation, attention deficits, and that dreaded FOMO feeling. You know what I’m talking about.

But when you look at it on the other side, excessive use can lead to mental health issues, sure, but social media also has its benefits.

It’s not just Australia playing nanny state. Across the pond in the U.S., lawmakers are cooking up their own schemes to protect kids’ mental health by making tech companies redesign their sites.

The “Protecting Kids on Social Media Act” is on the table. It aims to prevent under-13s from scrolling through our favorite platforms. It sounds like a plan, but let’s see if it actually sticks.

So, why is Australia going all-in on this bold ban? It might just set a new global trend for how we handle minors on social media.

As this legislation unfolds, everyone from parents to privacy advocates will be glued to see how it plays out—and what it means for the mental health of Australia’s youth. Popcorn, anyone?

What are your thoughts on Australia’s proposal to ban children under 16 from using social media? Do you think this move will effectively protect kids’ mental health, or are there better ways to achieve this balance? Share your insights in the comments below.

Kevin Raposo

Kevin is KnowTechie's founder and executive editor. With over 15 years of blogging experience in the tech industry, Kevin has transformed what was once a passion project into a full-blown tech news publication. Shoot him an email at kevin@knowtechie.com or find him on Mastodon or Post.