Australia plans social media ban for under-16s

[Still Waters]

Australia's government says it will introduce "world-leading" legislation to ban children under 16 from social media.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the proposed laws, to be tabled in parliament next week, were aimed at mitigating the "harm" social media was inflicting on Australian children.

"This one is for the mums and dads... They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our kids online. I want Australian families to know that the government has your back," he said.

While many of the details are yet to be debated, the government said the ban would apply to young people already on social media.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gzd62g1r3o

[+joc]

Big Brother strikes again.

Hey Mom, Hey Dad...you suck at parenting.  We will now parent your kids for you.

[openozy]

They should ban Facebook altogether, people have been bashed and murdered from total BS spread by halfwits over here, people are morons.

[Buzz_Light_Year]

So as I see it the only way they can make a determination that someone is underage to use Social Media is that everyone would have to register in order to use the Internet and that would be the end to Internet anonymity. You have to prove age somehow.

The Devil will be in the details.

[psyche101]

5 hours ago, joc said:

Big Brother strikes again.

Hey Mom, Hey Dad...you suck at parenting.  We will now parent your kids for you.

Parents are mostly for this. Kids know more about hacking around rules than parents do. It's a disaster in class, and in the home. Groomers and unscrupulous nasties are prolific. This should help catch those parasites too. 

It's a helping hand to a generation of parents that know less about the tech than their kids. 

[+joc]

1 hour ago, psyche101 said:

Parents are mostly for this. Kids know more about hacking around rules than parents do. It's a disaster in class, and in the home. Groomers and unscrupulous nasties are prolific. This should help catch those parasites too. 

It's a helping hand to a generation of parents that know less about the tech than their kids. 

I get it.  Funny how I didn't have the same reaction when I read,  Texas had  passed laws that require porn sites to verify age.  Apparently you cannot access a porn site unless you are over eighteen.  I thought that was a good thing and not Big Brotherish.  But when I hear similar things in Australia I think, Government Oversite.  I'm more prejudiced than I thought 🤔 

 

 

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

Albo is so not sigma, he has not rizz. 
skibiddi. 

[psyche101]

On 11/9/2024 at 9:50 PM, joc said:

I get it.  Funny how I didn't have the same reaction when I read,  Texas had  passed laws that require porn sites to verify age.  Apparently you cannot access a porn site unless you are over eighteen.  I thought that was a good thing and not Big Brotherish.  But when I hear similar things in Australia I think, Government Oversite.  I'm more prejudiced than I thought 🤔 

 

 

Ahh, it's a tense time. Your copping heaps from posters about Trump. All good. 

Many Americans tend to have that sort of opinion of Australians. Mainly because we handed our guns in and many Americans insist it was a forced action. It wasn't though. 

[+joc]

17 hours ago, Sir Wearer of Hats said:

Albo is so not sigma, he has not rizz. 
skibiddi. 

Sigma is our gyatt rizz!  Skibiddi do da OhioSkibiddiRizz...DafuqBoomski

[Still Waters]

Online games should not be included in Australia’s social media ban – they are crucial for kids’ social lives

Quote

The Australian government has announced a plan to ban children under the age of 16 from social media. With bipartisan support, it’s likely to be passed by the end of the year.

While some experts and school principals support the ban, the move has also been widely challenged by social media experts and children’s mental health groups.

In a press conference on Friday, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland suggested the ban would include platforms such as TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. An exemption would be considered for some services, such as YouTube Kids.

Continued:

https://theconversation.com/online-games-should-not-be-included-in-australias-social-media-ban-they-are-crucial-for-kids-social-lives-243374

[+joc]

On 11/9/2024 at 3:25 AM, Buzz_Light_Year said:

So as I see it the only way they can make a determination that someone is underage to use Social Media is that everyone would have to register in order to use the Internet and that would be the end to Internet anonymity. You have to prove age somehow.

The Devil will be in the details.

What is internet  anonymity! 🤔

Seriously?

They call it programming for a reason 🫣

[Claira]

Australia's House of Representatives passes bill that would ban young children from social media

Australia's House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban children younger than 16 years old from social media, leaving it to the Senate to finalize the world-first law.

The major parties backed the bill that would make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (US$33 million) for systemic failures to prevent young children from holding accounts.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/australia-s-house-of-representatives-passes-bill-that-would-ban-young-children-from-social-media-1.7124569

[Katniss]

On 11/9/2024 at 5:50 AM, joc said:

I get it.  Funny how I didn't have the same reaction when I read,  Texas had  passed laws that require porn sites to verify age.  Apparently you cannot access a porn site unless you are over eighteen.  I thought that was a good thing and not Big Brotherish.  But when I hear similar things in Australia I think, Government Oversite.  I'm more prejudiced than I thought 🤔 

 

 

My son said he and his friends found a way to bypass the verify age requirements to watch all those porn sites. People on Reddit told them how to do it.  So, those verify age laws they passed in three states have done very little good. And how in the world does government think they are going put that genie back in the bottle anyway. What a waste in effort.

[psyche101]

32 minutes ago, Katniss said:

My son said he and his friends found a way to bypass the verify age requirements to watch all those porn sites. People on Reddit told them how to do it.  So, those verify age laws they passed in three states have done very little good. And how in the world does government think they are going put that genie back in the bottle anyway. What a waste in effort.

 

 

They are putting the onus on social media companies and threatening a 50 million dollar fine for systemic failures. 

Gotta start somewhere. 

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

27 minutes ago, psyche101 said:

They are putting the onus on social media companies and threatening a 50 million dollar fine for systemic failures. 

Gotta start somewhere. 

So … nothing. 
Especially with Tusk being in bed with Trump, and Tusk already ignoring the regulators in Oz. 
It’s 100% digital media-semi-literates in parliament “doing something” for the sake of “doing something”. 
You want a deterrent for those companies? Not fines.  Bans. Ban them from trading/operating here if they don’t comply. Other co7ntries have already banned them, and El Trumpo wants to ban TikTok. 

[psyche101]

2 hours ago, Sir Wearer of Hats said:

So … nothing. 
Especially with Tusk being in bed with Trump, and Tusk already ignoring the regulators in Oz. 
It’s 100% digital media-semi-literates in parliament “doing something” for the sake of “doing something”. 
You want a deterrent for those companies? Not fines.  Bans. Ban them from trading/operating here if they don’t comply. Other co7ntries have already banned them, and El Trumpo wants to ban TikTok. 

TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook are all working with the government to find the best way forward. They have 12 months to get it right, and their comments are supportive. 

I doubt anyone would expect much from musk. Responsibility isn't his thing. Nobody under 18 should be on X. If we were to ban anyone it should be those who won't comply, like musk and X. Once the trade wars start who knows who will be in cahoots with each other. 

[Katniss]

13 hours ago, psyche101 said:

 

 

They are putting the onus on social media companies and threatening a 50 million dollar fine for systemic failures. 

Gotta start somewhere. 

 Oh no, sorry, Mr. Psyche101, I was talking about age verification laws for porn websites that Joc mentioned, that three local state governments passed here in three states of America over the past decade. Not laws passed in Australia.

[psyche101]

11 hours ago, Katniss said:

 Oh no, sorry, Mr. Psyche101, I was talking about age verification laws for porn websites that Joc mentioned, that three local state governments passed here in three states of America over the past decade. Not laws passed in Australia.

No offence taken dear Katniss. 

It's just that most people are negative about the proposal but I have to say I'm optimistic. There's a 12 months window for IT personnel  and social media companies to get this started. 

It's another world first and I'm pleased to be in the country that's always trying to change for the better. It creates some controversy but there's always an effort to move forward. The voice failed miserably but gun control is a huge win. We know because we try and I think that's pretty admirable. 

It rubs off. I know it inspires my to try harder and I know that's working because people are always telling me that I am trying!!

[+DieChecker]

As a US conservative, I think it's a bit of an overreach. But it will be an interesting long term experiment. I look forward to a report on the results in maybe five years.

[+DieChecker]

As a parent. I'd be in favor. I've seen bullying online ruin kids emotionally. And young teens tend to pile on once they think something gets going.

[psyche101]

10 hours ago, DieChecker said:

As a US conservative, I think it's a bit of an overreach. But it will be an interesting long term experiment. I look forward to a report on the results in maybe five years.

Why overreach. 

Parents are in favour of this. How can it be overreach for something we want?

10 hours ago, DieChecker said:

As a parent. I'd be in favor. I've seen bullying online ruin kids emotionally. And young teens tend to pile on once they think something gets going.

Also most of ds know more about phones and computers, particularly so for this generation. Kids have died due to bullying online. I can't see a negative here. 

[+DieChecker]

19 hours ago, psyche101 said:

Why overreach. 

Parents are in favour of this. How can it be overreach for something we want?

Not everything the majority wants is good, or for the best. What if 52% wanted to make Trump King for Life?

What if that 52% only wanted to extend Trump from 4 years to 5?

Small steps can lead to big steps, which is why I say a country seizing control on a subject, using "age" is ab overreach. Was there testing done before hand? Was there an intermediate step taken first? Is this the intermediate step?

Next they limit social media from the elderly. Or undocumented immigrants. Or limit the daily time anyone can access it, as China does.

Quote

Also most of ds know more about phones and computers, particularly so for this generation.

I'd agree. Any kid over 13 today knows what a VPN is. Change your location, and back in business. 

Quote

Kids have died due to bullying online. I can't see a negative here.

Yeah, I think I mentioned bullying already.

And why I do, as a parent, like the idea.

[psyche101]

24 minutes ago, DieChecker said:

Not everything the majority wants is good, or for the best. What if 52% wanted to make Trump King for Life?

What if that 52% only wanted to extend Trump from 4 years to 5?

Small steps can lead to big steps, which is why I say a country seizing control on a subject, using "age" is ab overreach. Was there testing done before hand? Was there an intermediate step taken first? Is this the intermediate step?

Next they limit social media from the elderly. Or undocumented immigrants. Or limit the daily time anyone can access it, as China does.

The old what if...... LoL I don't even like the marvel what ifs.

I just don't buy into the what if rabbit hole. It gets beyond silly. There are laws and such in place to keep things on track. Allowing the government to take responsibility for the safety of its citizens is part of the job. It's why we vote. 

There's extremely good reasoning behind the law. That's why it's popular and wanted by citizens. 

We heard the same nonsense about gun regulation decades ago. It was utter nonsense and no totalitarian government has attempted any such nonsense.

It doesn't seem so much a conservative value rather than a lolbertarian value. It's just paranoia IMHO. 

24 minutes ago, DieChecker said:

I'd agree. Any kid over 13 today knows what a VPN is. Change your location, and back in business. 

That's why the onus is actually on social companies as opposed to individuals. They have IT engineers on board. They will resolve this. Otherwise they are who will face fines. We know musk will fight it because there's money in subscribers, but if we were to ban X, all I could say is meh. It's a toxic environment. No biggie.

24 minutes ago, DieChecker said:

Yeah, I think I mentioned bullying already.

And why I do, as a parent, like the idea.

And grooming, hackers, there's many dangers that the average parent and person would rather have excluded altogether. More like a no access into personal space convenience. I like the idea of a no hawking sign on my router. 

[+DieChecker]

10 hours ago, psyche101 said:

The old what if...... LoL I don't even like the marvel what ifs.

Sometimes the What-If... is true.

In Oregon we passes a law legalizing small amounts of drugs and making most drug use crimes a misdemenor. Drug use skyrocketed. Public consumption, dealing, transporting, and such also was out in the open. Neighborhoods were ruined. Drug addled people everywhere. I almost ran over several. 

It wasn't supposed to be like that.

Defending the Police was another super popular idea. Street racing everywhere. Murders tripled. Gun crimes at record numbers. Gangs controlling the streets...

It wasn't supposed to be like that...

Not saying this social media thing will turn bad, but that just because people support an idea doesn't necessarily make it a good idea.

[psyche101]

11 hours ago, DieChecker said:

Sometimes the What-If... is true.

Nah, one in a billion? One in a trillion? What's the benchmark? How for does one go into what if? Do we take measures to protect ourselves from hostile aliens? The return of the dinosaurs? 

You can wrap yourself in cotton wool and hide in an underground bunker to be sure but that rabbit hole is as endless as ones imagination. 

I find it utterly silly, especially so where things like rights and free speech aren't only protected well by existing laws, but in today's world any controversial instance will be met with great resistance. There will be a lot of protests, riots damage and possibly dead people if things like free speech are impinged. Hell, Nazis get free speech. Considering that, there's no real argument that can say such entrenched rights are in any danger whatsoever.

What ifs are just paranoia based mind games. I cross bridges when I get to them. Not to mention the best laid plans can and do go to waste upon the slightest upset. They are not only pointless but time wasting as well. 

11 hours ago, DieChecker said:

In Oregon we passes a law legalizing small amounts of drugs and making most drug use crimes a misdemenor. Drug use skyrocketed. Public consumption, dealing, transporting, and such also was out in the open. Neighborhoods were ruined. Drug addled people everywhere. I almost ran over several. 

It wasn't supposed to be like that.

Defending the Police was another super popular idea. Street racing everywhere. Murders tripled. Gun crimes at record numbers. Gangs controlling the streets...

It wasn't supposed to be like that...

Not saying this social media thing will turn bad, but that just because people support an idea doesn't necessarily make it a good idea.

I saw a documentary focused on this.

Wasn't it because it wasn't actually implemented? It was just a free for all. No thought into structure or how it would be managed, just remove the authority, which probably had lolbertarians ecstatic, and let street people basically do what they want. Someone came up with an idea, made it law and walked away. 

That sounded like a systemic failure that would have been a different story altogether with a little planning. I'd call it a lesson learned as opposed to a what if. The writing was on the wall and nobody read it.