Utoo Radio with Other News Sources - November 28, 2024 - Australia has approved a world-first law banning children under 16 from using social media, arguing it is necessary to protect their mental health and wellbeing.

The legislation will impose fines of up to AU$50m on platforms for systemic failures to prevent young children from holding accounts.

Gaming and messenger platforms are exempt, and websites that can be accessed without an account will be unaffected.

The ban will take effect a year after the bill becomes law, allowing platforms time to work out technological solutions that would also protect users' privacy.

A trial of methods to enforce it will start in January.

The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 sets Australia up as a test case for a growing number of governments which have legislated or plan to legislate an age restriction on social media.

Critics argue the law will not work and may cause isolation among children and deprive them of the positive aspects of social media.