AUSTRALIA CRACKS DOWN: South Australia to Ban Social Media for Under-13s

In a groundbreaking move, the South Australian government has introduced a bill aimed at restricting social media access for children under the age of 13, with stringent regulations for teens aged 14-15. The proposed law, drafted in response to a comprehensive 276-page report highlighting the detrimental effects of social media on young minds, is set to be passed into law shortly.

Under the new legislation, social media companies will be legally obligated to prevent children under 14 from creating accounts, while 14- and 15-year-olds will require parental consent to join platforms. Non-compliance will result in fines for both parents and social media sites.

This pioneering move by South Australia is poised to spark a national conversation on the need for robust regulations to safeguard children’s online experiences. The bill’s swift passage into law is expected to have far-reaching implications for social media giants and parents alike.