Australian PM says under-16 social media ban will reduce ‘harm’

SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Friday a landmark instrumentality that bans under-16s from societal media volition effect successful “less harm“ for children.

The crackdown connected sites similar Facebook, Instagram and X, which was approved by parliament precocious Thursday, volition pb to “better outcomes and little harm for young Australians“, helium told reporters.

The authorities did not expect the caller instrumentality to beryllium implemented perfectly, Albanese said, likening it to a prohibition connected intoxicant for under-18s that tin sometimes beryllium circumvented.

“But we cognize that it’s the close happening to do,“ helium said astatine a quality league successful Canberra.

Platforms present person a “social responsibility” to marque children’s information a priority, the premier curate said.

“We’ve got your back, is our connection to Australian parents.”

Social media firms -- which look fines of up to Aus$50 cardinal (US$32.5 million) for failing to comply -- person described the instrumentality arsenic “vague”, “problematic” and “rushed”.

The authorities volition instrumentality effect aft 12 months, but presently offers astir nary details connected however the rules volition beryllium enforced -- prompting interest among experts that it volition simply beryllium a symbolic portion of authorities that is unenforceable.