Just like 6 News, we all know it’s a front for Leo’s dad 
They’re not banning those under 16 from accessing the internet or making content for websites. They’re just lifting the age for those who access social media from 13 to 16.
But is it really necessary though? , I feel like the government are just interfering with parenting. Sorry labor but I think you are wrong to do this. Oh and yeah let’s look at how well Conrys Internet censorship went down eh?
It’s not just Labor, many health experts, youth workers and a group called 36 Months (co-founded by Nova 969’s Wippa) have been calling for the minimum age to be lifted to 16. News Corp has also been leading a similar campaign.
I’ve looked at the 36 Months website, to me it’s heavy on emotive language and very thin on actual detail. There’s nothing there about educating teens on using social media (which is something we really do need) or how it could be enforced in any practical manner. There’s even nothing about teaching responsible use of social media after turning 16- as though magically overnight on one’s 16th birthday they are no longer at any risk.
I do think that 13 is a bit young in most instances to be active on some forms of social media, but each child/teen is unique and blanket bans are never a good solution to anything. Raising the age to 14, with extensive education from the age of 10 to 12, to me would be a lot more reasonable. 13 year olds and 15 year olds are at very different levels in their development and to lump them all in together doesn’t make sense.
Having said that though- I would definitely agree that the proposal is made with good intentions, and I do praise them for that. Unfortunately good intentions don’t necessarily equal good policy.
Well it was the Coalition who was pushing for this from the start. Labor took its time analysing the research and had been advocating raising it to 15 years. It was the Coalition who pushed for it being 16 years.
The Coalition have quickly said that they will pass the legislation.
The investigation heard from devastated victims, cyber-fraud investigators and scamming syndicate insiders, including scammers themselves. These interviews, and the months-long scraping and tracking of Facebook advertisements have revealed how networks of sophisticated criminal groups deploy social media ad campaigns to fish for new victims, fleecing Australians and other victims worldwide.
As someone who fits this demographic, I’m definetly not onboard with this blanket ban.
I do think that while the approach is good, it simply blocks what is a tool to connect among peers these days, especially with so many shared experiences and games releasing news through these platforms. Especially as someone who does amateur content creation on YouTube, how will this affect the market we target and how we run (if I can run my channel).
And besides, how will be taught to know what to expect in internet and with cyberspace when the government effectively blocks out social media?
And, I can tell you now it’s going to force it underground as people in the teenage age bracket are arguably more tech savvy than older people, and will find ways around the systems put in place.
I think that this result will not end well for the government overstepping into what is a parenting space.
anyway thats my thoughts on this issue as it directly affects me 
The final report from the Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society recommends a Digital Affairs Ministry with responsibility for the coordination of regulation to address the challenges and risks presented by digital platforms.
The committee also recommended a statutory duty of care by digital platforms, education support and digital competency, greater protections of personal information, independent research, data gathering and reporting, and giving users more control over what they see on social media.
#BREAKING 🚨 The federal government now says YouTube will NOT be banned for under-16s – after initially saying it would ‘likely’ be included – saying services that are ‘health or education related’ will be allowed
— 6 News Australia (@6NewsAU) November 21, 2024
‘Messaging and online gaming’ will also continue to be allowed pic.twitter.com/tAgLGvGEzg
The federal government introduced a bill on banning social media for under-16s in the Parliament today.
This is dumb now, because what good are you at blocking Instagram, TikTok & Snapchat if Reels and such will simply move over to Shorts and give YouTube a massive monopoly.
They’re not trying to stop people making or watching content on YouTube or Reels.
They’re trying to stop the direct antisocial behaviour like cyberbullying and abuse which can lead to mental health issues, suicidal thoughts and self harm.
leave the parenting to the parents though
also keep in mind, some people that age use FB or WhatsApp to chat to family interstate or overseas
leave the parenting to the parents though
This.