A big change has happened the social media world. Australia has banned children the age of 16 joining many social networks. New laws say the under-16s cannot open accounts with sites Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, and YouTube. It is now the responsibility these social media sites to make sure all their users are aged 16 or above. Australia's government said it would fine the companies if they allowed children to access their sites. The fines could be as much as $32.9 million. The companies said they would use different methods to check the age their users. New users will have to upload identification and scan their faces.
Australia's Prime Minister said he introduced the ban because social media was harming young minds. He said a study showed that 70 per cent children aged 10-15 who used social media looked harmful content. This included information misogyny, violence, eating disorders, and suicide. He advised children to do different things instead, starting a new sport or learning to play a musical instrument. His message to children was: "Spend quality time your friends and your family, face to face." Many children said they would now be lonelier social media. Two 15-year-olds are suing Australia's government. They say their "right to free communication" has been taken .
