Proposed Social Media ban for under-16 kids

[Chicken]

<redacted>

A lot to unpack in those comments, but personally, the idea of ramming through new legislation without appropriate consultation/debate does concern me. As I've suggested in prior comments, I believe something needs to be done to address the problems, but this doesn't mean that we should simply rubber stamp new legislation for the sake of it.

Dutton is looking at it from an political angle, get this issue thru, so he could focus in the election between March and May.

 

[DejaBrew]

The politicisation of the topic was not lost on me at all @Chicken - I'm just treading cautiously when posting about a topic that inherently lends itself to partisan political commentary

Dutton is looking at it from an political angle, get this issue thru, so he could focus in the election between March and May.

Funnily enough, I suspect he'd gain more political caché were legislation to not pass by Christmas. But that's a whole other discussion and one that's not exactly OT for this specific thread so I'll leave it there.

 

[Pushka]

will have to prove we aren’t kids

I have to do this every time I buy a can of spray paint from Bunnings…...

They just look at you.

 

[Chicken]

The politicisation of the topic was not lost on me at all @Chicken - I'm just treading cautiously when posting about a topic that inherently lends itself to partisan political commentary

Yes, although it could affect us, because AFF may have to plug into myGov, so our AFF fee would increase. I don't know if AFF would do any 'enhancement' to our benefits

 

[NM]

Yes, although it could affect us, because AFF may have to plug into myGov, so our AFF fee would increase. I don't know if AFF would do any 'enhancement' to our benefits

I think we need to wait for the proposed legislation to be released before we start to speculate on what might or might not be required by content managers/owners such as AFF and the implications that may flow.

 

[DejaBrew]

I think we need to wait for the proposed legislation to be released before we start to speculate on what might or might not be required by content managers/owners such as AFF and the implications that may flow.

Yep, way too early to panic about this. After all, the Government hasn't even settled on a definition of "social media" at this point in time.

 

[kookaburra75]

Yep, way too early to panic about this. After all, the Government hasn't even settled on a definition of "social media" at this point in time.

It's never too early to panic But I see this as more of a social experiment than a political act, as it is getting into territory that none of the major political parties would want to go near.

Besides, the real problem is content. That exists in places than the 'social media' platforms that keep getting mentioned (ABC News report on what young people are watching.... Warning: Not Safe for Work)

 

[Chicken]

Yep, way too early to panic about this. After all, the Government hasn't even settled on a definition of "social media" at this point in time.

Yes, I think the whole thing is going to fall apart.

I mean if you think about it, what's the difference between some parents' group of a school on WhatsApp, and AFF? I think both are same same

It's never too early to panic But I see this as more of a social experiment than a political act, as it is getting into territory that none of the major political parties would want to go near.

I think it will just fall flat, then the LIB will accuse the ALP of being weak or useless or whatever, and be turned into another political finger pointing at each other.

Besides, the real problem is content. That exists in places than the 'social media' platforms that keep getting mentioned (ABC News report on what young people are watching.... Warning: Not Safe for Work)

This is kinda like how it took us like 30+ years to get used to the idea of doing sex education in schools. We are now saying we need to ban social media, just like how we used to say we just need to teach celibacy and it would all be good.

We already have mods on AFF, we don't need the government to tell AFF to have mods. This is already a 'system' in place.

Snapchat maybe excluded from the ban. This is turning into a farce

 

[clifford]

This is turning into a farce

Always was.

 

[Tiki]

I don't have kids but this seems like it will impact everyone if we all start having to give personal information to prove we aren't under 18. This should be dealt with at the parental level and make them responsible for bad behaviour (like cyberbullying) by their kids.

 

[kamchatsky]

Details coming out now:


Teenagers will be banned from using Tiktok, Snapchat, Instagram, X and Reddit until the age of 16 in Australia under new laws to be rushed through Parliament but will still be able to use message services including WhatsApp.

But kids will also still be able to use YouTube and Google classroom under the landmark changes designed to limit the harm that social media is causing teenagers.

https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/snapchat-will-be-included-in-worldfirst-australian-reforms-to-restrict-teenagers-social-media-use/news-story/2687d589a9657948ed20026e367f55f0

 

[Lynda2475]

Details coming out now:

Teenagers will be banned from using Tiktok, Snapchat, Instagram, X and Reddit until the age of 16 in Australia under new laws to be rushed through Parliament but will still be able to use message services including WhatsApp.

Well WhatsApp you need to know the person's mobile number, so assumes its someone you know IRL. Interesting no mention of Facebook.

But kids will also still be able to use YouTube and Google classroom under the landmark changes designed to limit the harm that social media is causing teenagers.

Well YouTube is 1 direction so no different to watching TV.

Surprised they felt the need to mention Google Classroom which is an educational tool, where teachers can restrict access to member of their own classroom (or year group or school). Many schools use Chromebooks as much cheaper for parents to buy direct form google (they provide subsidies for underprivileged schools) than other laptops and teachers/School Admin can control what apps kids can download/install.

 

[NM]

Interesting no mention of Facebook.

I guess that is recognition that no self-respecting teenager wants to be seen on Facebook - that is the place where their parents and grand parents hang out!

 

[Lynda2475]

I guess that is recognition that no self-respecting teenager wants to be seen on Facebook - that is the place where their parents and grand parents hang out!

I posted the same sentiment up thread, but if you take away other options you may see them seeking out easy alternatives and heading back to FB. Afterall they dont need to "friend" their parents.

 

[kamchatsky]

So the bill passed the parliament last night:

Children to be banned from social media from next year after parliament votes through world-first laws

The government and opposition moved fast to ram through the bill before the end of the parliamentary year, sparking calls for more scrutiny from some Coalition MPs, independents and the Greens.

www.abc.net.au

Not sure how this is going to work yet so watch this space .....

 

[lovestotravel]

I really have no words.....

 

[Daver6]

So the bill passed the parliament last night:

Children to be banned from social media from next year after parliament votes through world-first laws

The government and opposition moved fast to ram through the bill before the end of the parliamentary year, sparking calls for more scrutiny from some Coalition MPs, independents and the Greens.

www.abc.net.au

Not sure how this is going to work yet so watch this space .....

I don't think the government has any idea either how it will be enforced, hence attempting to make the social media companies responsible. Without them being able to verify age with the government, I can't see how this works.

Also, if a 15 year old from overseas comes to visit Australia on holiday, can they use Facebook while here? What about non-citizens living here? What about the 15 year old Australian kid who goes overseas on holiday and signs up and then returns?

 

[kamchatsky]

I don't think the government has any idea either how it will be enforced, hence attempting to make the social media companies responsible. Without them being able to verify age with the government, I can't see how this works.

Also, if a 15 year old from overseas comes to visit Australia on holiday, can they use Facebook while here? What about non-citizens living here? What about the 15 year old Australian kid who goes overseas on holiday and signs up and then returns?

That is actually up to Facebook (and/or other social media companies) to work out because:

"Under the laws, which won't come into force for another 12 months, social media companies could be fined up to $50 million for failing to take "reasonable steps" to keep under 16s off their platforms.

There are no penalties for young people or parents who flout the rules."

So any visitors or residents to Australia won't actually have to worry about it.

 

[Daver6]

That is actually up to Facebook (and/or other social media companies) to work out because:

"Under the laws, which won't come into force for another 12 months, social media companies could be fined up to $50 million for failing to take "reasonable steps" to keep under 16s off their platforms.

There are no penalties for young people or parents who flout the rules."

So any visitors or residents to Australia won't actually have to worry about it.

Reasonable steps....like asking a user to input their age when signing up?

This is my point exactly. This is policy that's not going to make one iota of a difference and purely virtue signalling by the government of the day.

 

[kamchatsky]

Reasonable steps....like asking a user to input their age when signing up?

This is my point exactly. This is policy that's not going to make one iota of a difference and purely virtue signalling by the government of the day.

We will all find out in 12 months ......