Australia's Social Media Ban for Under-16s Raises Concerns Over Mental Health Impact
Australia has implemented a groundbreaking ban on social media usage for children under the age of 16, marking the first such legislation globally. This move aims to mitigate the negative effects of social media on young people's mental health and well-being. The ban targets platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, among others, and imposes significant fines on tech companies that fail to enforce age restrictions. The decision follows a government study revealing that 96% of Australian children aged 10 to 15 are active on social media, with a significant portion exposed to harmful content. The Australian government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, emphasizes the need to protect children from the adverse effects of excessive screen time and harmful online content.