Communications Minister Anika Wells has vowed to “stand firm” against looming legal challenges and pressure from technology giants as the Government’s under-16s social media ban comes into effect today. Source: The Australian.
“When it comes to online safety, the Albanese Government is on the side of kids, parents and families, not platforms,” she said.
“We are proud of our world-leading social media laws. We are proud of the parents and families who called for their implementation.”
It comes as Reddit yesterday confirmed it would implement new safety features to comply with the ban in the wake of reports the platform was preparing to launch a legal challenge against the policy, which it argued would limit freedom of political communication.
“Users confirmed to be under 16 will have their accounts suspended under the new Australian minimum age law,” Reddit said in a statement on Tuesday.
“While we disagree about the scope, effectiveness and privacy implications of this law, as of December 10, we’re making some changes in line with these requirements.”
The opposition to the ban from tech platforms and some members of the Coalition comes as the Government faces pressure from within Labor to go even further.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas yesterday announced his government would spearhead efforts to delay the introduction of smart phones into the lives of Australian kids.
The multimillion-dollar initiative, Wait Mate, will see a communications campaign run across the state and a program offered up to parents of primary school-aged children in 2026.
Parents of high school-age children will be offered the program, which provides take-home packs and other materials, a year later.
After calling on the federal Government last year to follow his lead and ban under-16s from social media, Mr Malinauskas is believed to aim to do the same with the smartphone program.
While some Coalition MPs have raised concerns over the workability of the social media ban, opposition education spokesman Julian Leeser said he was supportive of the policy and would also be open to initiatives to limit smartphone use, as proposed by the SA Government.
FULL STORY
We will stand firm against the tech giants, says Anika Wells (By Sarah Ison, The Australian)
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