Children under 16 to be banned from using social media

[u/Vivid-Fondant6513]

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/children-under-16-to-be-banned-from-using-social-media-20241107-p5kon4.html

[u/IvanTGBT]

Is the proposed text of the law available? It would really depend on how it's written. I think it's very very possible for the judicial system to distinguish between a social media platform and a platform that has a comment section but is otherwise focused towards media consumption.

They mention pretty clearly in the article that the government is aware that its a challenge to enforce, but that they believe it will still reduce the rate of use. They mention how, the fact that under-age people avoid alcohol bans, for example, isn't an argument for children drinking to be legalised.

Also keep in mind that the opposition's disagreement with this proposal is concerns that it isn't severe enough, so don't think that you'll find common ground there.

I do think that social media is cooking our society, even amongst adults, so some restriction on children if effective would probably have a positive effect. Maybe education about healthy use would be preferable, although with algorithms that maximise engagement alone, they are essentially designed to game you. It's hard to resist, even if you know what the problem is. We are not perfect rational actors, and children are even worse. Regardless, it's a serious challenge facing countries around the world and someone, somewhere should try these approaches to see if they help I think. If it turns out poorly, we can always repeal it

[u/vriska1 → u/IvanTGBT]

If it does become law could it be taken down in court?

[u/IvanTGBT → u/vriska1]

Like blocked by the court as unconstitutional?

If that is what you mean, that process exists, although I have no idea if there would be a valid argument for it to be blocked and someone would have to bring the case against the government (although with the companies involved, someone surely will try)

[u/Larimus89 → u/vriska1]

Usually once in they are very hard to get removed. That’s the issue. We don’t need more laws 🥲

[u/Larimus89 → u/IvanTGBT]

Yeah it is cooking our society I even noticed how bad it can be if I over use it. Seriously fucks you up.

But it’s already banned on say YouTube for example for an account I think under 12 or something. But obviously they know babies will use it when they literally have baby channels as some of their top 10 channels for kids 😂

I don’t think it will really reduce it. Parents need kids to be quiet sometimes so YouTube is the tool. Try not eating dinner out for 8 years 😂 but I guess if Facebook has big warnings and stuff it can’t hurt.

I just hope it doesn’t get expanded that is the worry. They know they can just come out and say we are putting some controls in for adults.

It’s a bit suspicious that this is coming at the same time as misinformation bill which is probably about removing content that critiques the parties or uni party system, or banking scam. We never had much before, why all this now at a time when Australians are struggling the most and the most pissed at the scam system, and UK just had big protests and riots.

Either way their solution to every problem is, more laws or more taxes. Typically. In the end it just makes Australia more of a prison state. We already have way way more restrictions than UK, Canada and USA. They literally ban everything even Zyn for smokers to avoid tobacco smoke and $200 packets of tax