Overview

• The Australian government plans to introduce a law banning social media access for those under 16, but details on implementation remain unclear.
• Critics, including 140 experts, argue the ban lacks evidence of benefits and could lead to unintended harm for young Australians.
• Concerns include potential risks for marginalized groups who benefit from social media as a support network and lifeline.
• The government is testing various age-verification technologies, with results expected next year, to enforce the ban.
• Other countries have implemented similar age restrictions with mixed success, raising questions about the effectiveness of such bans.