A big [challenge / change] has happened in the social media world. Australia has banned children under the [age / ages] of 16 from joining many social networks. New laws say the under-16s cannot [open / opening] accounts with sites [like / likes] Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, and YouTube. It is now the [responsibility / responsible] of these social media sites to make sure all of [them / their] users are aged 16 or above. Australia's government said it would [sure / fine] the companies if they allowed children to access their sites. The fines could be as [much / many] as $32.9 million. The companies said they would use different [methods / method] to check the age of their users. New users will [have / must] to upload identification and scan their faces.
Australia's Prime Minister said he introduced the ban [because / that] social media was harming young [minds / mind] . He said a study showed that 70 per cent of children aged 10-15 who used social media looked [at / in] harmful content. This included information about misogyny, [violent / violence] , eating disorders, and suicide. He advised children to do [difference / different] things instead, like starting a new sport or learning [for / to] play a musical instrument. His message to children was: "Spend [qualify / quality] time with your friends and your family, [face / eyes] to face." Many children said they would now be lonelier without social media. Two 15-year-olds are [using / suing] Australia's government. They say their "right to free communication" [has / have] been taken away.
