Australia bans social media for children – level 3

Australia bans social media for children

03-12-2024 07:00

Australia has passed a law banning social media for anyone under 16.

This law starts in late 2025 and targets platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, requiring them to prevent underage users or face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars. The government acted because of widespread concern about social media’s harmful effects on children’s mental health, including cases of self-harm caused by bullying. While many parents and 77% of Australians support the ban, critics argue it might push young users to unsafe online spaces and teach them how to bypass restrictions.

Child rights and privacy groups, along with some tech companies like Google and Meta, opposed the law. They say the bill was rushed, and methods for enforcing it are unclear. This legislation could strain Australia’s ties with the US and inspire similar laws globally.

Difficult words: bullying (repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group), bypass (to avoid something), strain (to influence).

You can watch the video news lower on this page.

What are some of the potential negative consequences critics argue might result from Australia's law banning social media for anyone under 16, and which groups or companies have opposed the law?

LEARN 3000 WORDS with NEWS IN LEVELS

News in Levels is designed to teach you 3000 words in English. Please follow the instructions
below.

How to improve your English with News in Levels: 

Test

  1. Do the test at Test Languages.
  2. Go to your level. Go to Level 1 if you know 1-1000 words. Go to Level 2 if you know 1000-2000 words. Go to Level 3 if you know 2000-3000 words.

Reading

  1. Read two news articles every day.
  2. Read the news articles from the day before and check if you remember all new words.

Listening

  1. Listen to the news from today and read the text at the same time.
  2. Listen to the news from today without reading the text.

Writing

  1. Answer the question under today’s news and write the answer in the comments.

Speaking

  1. Choose one person from the Skype section.
  2. Talk with this person. You can answer questions from Speak in Levels.

 

Stock images by Depositphotos