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Teens in Australia banned from social media

The Sydney Opera House. Australia.

A big change has happened in the social media world. Australia has banned children under the age of 16 from joining many social networks. New laws say the under-16s cannot open accounts with sites like Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, and YouTube. It is now the responsibility of these social media sites to make sure all of 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 of 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 of children aged 10-15 who used social media looked at harmful content. This included information about misogyny, violence, eating disorders, and suicide. He advised children to do different things instead, like starting a new sport or learning to play a musical instrument. His message to children was: "Spend quality time with your friends and your family, face to face." Many children said they would now be lonelier without social media. Two 15-year-olds are suing Australia's government. They say their "right to free communication" has been taken away.

Chat

Talk about these words from the article.

change / social media / the under-16s / new laws / responsibility / fines / age / scan / harming young minds / misogyny / violence / eating disorders / sport / instrument

True / False

1) Children aged 16 in Australia cannot open a social media account. T / F

2) It is the social media sites' responsibility to check the age of new users. T / F

3) Parents of children who use social media could get a $32.9 million fine. T / F

4) New social media users now have to upload ID and scan their faces. T / F

5) The article says 70% of all children regularly look at violent videos. T / F

6) Australia's leader said children should play sport or play an instrument. T / F

7) Many children said without social media, they would feel lonelier. T / F 8) Two teenagers are suing Australia's government because of the ban. T / F

Discussion

1) What do you think of social media?

2) Should children be allowed to go on social media?

3) Have you had any bad experiences on social media?

4) Social media CEOs do not allow their children on social media. Why not?

5) What are the best social media sites?

6) What do you think of pre-social media communication?

7) How well will social media companies make sure the ban works?

8) Should children socialize in person rather than via their phone?