AUSTRALIA PLANS WORLD-FIRST SOCIAL MEDIA BAN

If the Australian government has its way, all children under 16 will be banned from using social media.

This was announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in what he calls “a world-leading package of measures” that could become law late next year.

At the moment, the country is trialling an age-verification system to prevent children from being blocked from accessing social media platforms.

During a news conference, Albanese said he’s all for the tough measures proposed.

“Social media is doing harm to our kids and I’m calling time on it.”

Albanese said the risks to the physical and mental health of children from excessive social media use are harmful, especially body image problems for girls and misogynist content aimed at underage boys.

“If you’re a 14-year-old kid getting this stuff, at a time when you’re going through life’s changes and maturing, it can be a really difficult time and what we’re doing is listening and then acting.”

While other countries have hinted at the idea of introducing stricter social media laws for children, Australia is the first country to actually go ahead with it.

Not only is the Australian government the first to propose this law, but its proposal also contains the highest age limit ever suggested.

If passed, the law could be implemented as soon as 2025.

Image credit: NBC News