Australia Bans Social Media for Kids Under 16
Australia Bans Social Media for Kids Under 16. In its landmark decision, the Australian government recently announced its plans to ban social media for kids below the age of 16. This comes in line with growing worldwide concern about uncontrolled exposure to social media for kids.
Our children’s safety and mental health have to come first, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. But his communications minister said the key consideration is avoiding exposure to the other types of online harms-cyberbullying and other inappropriate content.
Understand the Bottomline: Why Ban Social Media for Young Kids?
Australia follows the trend wherein countries take a review regarding how social media affects children. France has proposed a directive that will ban children of under 15 years in accessing social media, though the United States requires approval from the parents when children of below 13 years obtain data. These regulations relate to common issues: the resultant effect of free access and usage of social media affecting children’s mental health in development.
The Effect of Social Media on Children in India
The issue is of great significance also for India, which has experienced the highest penetration of internet and usage of social media by all nations. According to a report by the NCPCR, more than 30% of children from 10-17 years have reported facing cyber bullying. Overuse of social media was also associated with increased rates of anxiety, depression, and diminished self-esteem among adolescents of the country. Another Indian Journal of Psychiatry study reported that about 12% of Indian adolescents suffer from symptoms of social media addiction that lead to poor academic performance, sleep disorders, and poor social skills. Such statistics raise an alarm that needs measures such as the proposed ban in Australia for India also is struggling with widespread consequences of unmonitored access to social media among its youth.
A much-needed change in the world’s digital policy
Such steps from the nations are an important policy change in the world to safeguard the younger generation from digital hazards. The Australian Prime Minister and the Communications Minister have publicly come out in support of digital well-being and urging other nations to follow suit as well.
These steps show an increasing realization that social media, though a boon, needs to be watched with hawk eyes in cases of young users. Australian Communications Minister Rowland has put it succinctly when he said, “No child should have to face the damaging effects of social media without adequate safeguards.”
The Future of Digital Protection
This may create an example for countries like India too, where such protective measures will be in demand. The issue of children’s mental health is being raised not only by social media companies but also by governments against absolute access. This international movement shows a commitment toward bringing healthier and safer spaces to the internet for future generations.
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