CANBERRA, December 10. /Dunyo IA/. Australia has become the first country in the world to formally ban social media access for children under 16 and has blocked their access to major platforms such as “TikTok”, “YouTube”, “Instagram” and “Facebook”, reports Dunyo IA correspondent citing “ABC News”.

“Make the most of your school holidays. Instead of spending time glued to your phones, take up a new sport, learn to play a musical instrument, or finally read that book that has been sitting on your shelf for ages, - Anthony Albanese, Australian Prime Minister said in a video message marking the entry into force of the new law. - And most importantly, spend time with your friends and family in person”.

Under the new law, platforms that fail to take the necessary measures to restrict access for minors could face fines of up to AUD 33 million. Australian lawmakers have prohibited access for children under 16 without exceptions, even with parental consent.

The ban currently applies to ten major platforms, but the Australian government has indicated that the list will be expanded as new services emerge and as adolescents migrate to other digital platforms.

Elon Musk, owner of the platform X, described the ban as an attempt to “covertly control all Australians’ access to the internet” while most platforms have argued that the new law infringes on the freedom of speech of 2.6 million young Australians.

Nevertheless, all companies on the list, with the exception of X, have stated that they will comply with the new requirements, using methods such as verifying age through online activity or profile photos. Verification through identity documents or linked bank account information may also be implemented.

However, Anika Wells, Australian Minister for Communications, stated that other countries share this approach and have sought her guidance, notably Greece and Malta. Denmark and Norway have already begun drafting similar legislation, while Singapore and Brazil are closely monitoring the process.

Despite the criticism, Australian authorities maintain that the new law represents a significant step in protecting children and adolescents from the potentially harmful effects of social media.

It is worth noting that in November, a similar proposal was endorsed by Members of the European Parliament, following criticism by French President Emmanuel Macron of “major American tech companies and Chinese algorithms”.

Photo by “Reuters” agency