Tue Sep 10 16:02:28 UTC 2024: ## Australian Government to Implement Age Verification for Social Media, Facing Criticism
**CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA** – The Australian government has announced plans to introduce legislation this year mandating age verification for social media accounts, aiming to restrict access for children. While the exact age limit is yet to be determined, it will fall between 14 and 16. This move comes in response to growing concerns about online harms faced by children, including bullying and exposure to harmful content.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the urgency of addressing this “scourge,” citing the mental health impact on young users. He stated that the government will soon trial age verification technology and plans to ban children under the proposed age limit from opening social media accounts.
However, the proposal has drawn criticism from experts like Lisa Given, an information technology expert at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Given argued that such a blanket approach could exclude children from accessing valuable resources available on social media platforms.
The Australian government’s decision reflects a growing global trend towards protecting children online. Several countries and U.S. states are considering similar legislation to combat online harms. In Australia, the opposition party has pledged to ban children under 16 from social media if it wins the next election, scheduled for May 2024.
The South Australian state has taken a step further, proposing a law that would fine social media companies for allowing access to children under 14.
The Australian government’s plan to introduce age verification for social media is a significant step in addressing concerns about online harms to children. However, the effectiveness and potential unintended consequences of such a measure remain to be seen.
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