TechUpdate

Online Safety

Australia bans social media for anyone under 16

Under-16s in Australia are now banned from having user accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit and streaming platforms Kick and Twitch.

The ban is the first of its kind, although a growing number of other countries are considering similar curbs.

The Australian government assesses potential platform against three main criteria:

  • the main purpose of the platform is to enable online interaction between two or more users;
  • the platform allows users to interact with some or all other users; and
  • the platform allows users to post material.

“YouTube Kids, Google Classroom and WhatsApp have not been included the ban.

Photo credits: Photo by Ron Lach, Pexels

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Under-16s in Australia are now banned from having user accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit and streaming platforms Kick and Twitch.

The ban is the first of its kind, although a growing number of other countries are considering similar curbs.

The Australian government assesses potential platform against three main criteria:

  • the main purpose of the platform is to enable online interaction between two or more users;
  • the platform allows users to interact with some or all other users; and
  • the platform allows users to post material.

“YouTube Kids, Google Classroom and WhatsApp have not been included the ban.

Photo credits: Photo by Ron Lach, Pexels