SYDNEY / LONDON (IT BOLTWISE) – Australia is setting new standards in youth protection on social media. Starting December 10, platforms like Reddit and Kick.com must ensure that their content is inaccessible to users under 16. This measure is part of a global trend to limit young people’s use of social media.
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Australia recently tightened its measures to protect young people on social media platforms. Starting December 10, platforms like Reddit and local livestreaming platform Kick.com, which competes with Twitch, must ensure that their content is inaccessible to users under 16. This announcement from Australia’s online safety regulator eSafety shows Australia is at the forefront of a global trend aimed at regulating youth social media use.
The new regulations provide for draconian penalties for tech companies that ignore the protection of minors. Fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars, about 28 million euros, could be imposed. Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s online safety chief, expressed optimism about the potential impact of these measures. She emphasized that delayed access to social media offers young people the opportunity to develop without the influence of algorithmic manipulation and incessant scrolling offers.
It is important to note that not all platforms are affected by the new regulations. Exceptions apply to services such as messaging apps, email, voice and video calls, and online gaming and education. This means that popular platforms such as Roblox and communication apps such as WhatsApp or Messenger remain unaffected by the restrictions. This selective approach shows that Australia is trying to find a balanced approach that takes into account both the protection of youth and freedom of communication.
With the introduction of this legislation a year ago, Australia was at the forefront of an international trend that was supported by a broad majority of parties in Parliament. Other countries such as Greece have already taken similar measures, while similar regulations are being discussed in nations such as Denmark. In Germany, however, there is currently a lack of a uniform legal minimum age for using social media, which shifts responsibility onto parents – a system that can easily be circumvented.
Tightening child protection measures in Australia could have far-reaching implications for the global tech industry. Companies will need to adapt their platforms to meet new requirements, which could lead to significant technical and financial challenges. At the same time, this could also serve as a model for other countries that have similar problems with youth use of social media.
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