Australia toughens kids’ social media ban, doubles potential penalties for tech firms
According to a study published in the British Medical Journal this week, which looked at 408 adolescents, 85 per cent of Australians aged 12 to 15 were still…
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Summary
According to a study published in the British Medical Journal this week, which looked at 408 adolescents, 85 per cent of Australians aged 12 to 15 were still using social media three months after the ban took effect. Two-thirds of underage users stayed online by self-declaring an age over 16 or posting a selfie that the platform accepted as over 16, it said. The government will also strengthen the information-gathering powers of its internet regulator, the eSafety Commissioner, allowing it to compel social media companies to provide evidence of what they have done to stop under-16s from getting an account.
Furthermore, Under the changes, the maximum penalty for systematic failures to uphold the ban jumps to A$99 million ($68 million) from A$49.5 million. Message board website Reddit is separately challenging the ban in Australia's highest court, seeking to overturn it on free speech grounds. "Based on the regular updates I receive from the eSafety Commissioner, it is clear to me that social media platforms are adopting tricks straight out of the big tech playbook and doing the bare minimum to get by," Minister for Communications Anika Wells said in the statement.
In addition, Britain this month said it planned restrictions that go further as gaming and live-streaming platforms will also be affected. “I’m heartened by the shift in conversation and the global momentum we’ve seen since introducing the social media minimum age, but it’s clear big tech are not doing enough to comply with the law – there are still too many children on social media,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement. KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Reuters) -- Australia said on Saturday it would double the maximum penalty it can impose on tech firms found to have failed to uphold a ground-breaking social media ban for children, as evidence mounts that the ban has had little effect on teen use.
One point remains disputed: Divergent figures — The statement said that since the ban has been put in place more than 5 million under-16… ; The statement said that since the ban has been put in place more than five million….
Cross-referenced from 3 sources.
Factual coreconfirmed by several independent voices
According to a study published in the British Medical Journal this week, which looked at 408 adolescents, 85 per cent of Australians aged 12 to 15 were still using social media three months after the ban took effect.
reliability low1/3 sourcesTwo-thirds of underage users stayed online by self-declaring an age over 16 or posting a selfie that the platform accepted as over 16, it said.
reliability low1/3 sourcesThe government will also strengthen the information-gathering powers of its internet regulator, the eSafety Commissioner, allowing it to compel social media companies to provide evidence of what they have done to stop under-16s from getting an account.
reliability low1/3 sourcesUnder the changes, the maximum penalty for systematic failures to uphold the ban jumps to A$99 million ($68 million) from A$49.5 million.
reliability low1/3 sourcesMessage board website Reddit is separately challenging the ban in Australia's highest court, seeking to overturn it on free speech grounds.
reliability low1/3 sources"Based on the regular updates I receive from the eSafety Commissioner, it is clear to me that social media platforms are adopting tricks straight out of the big tech playbook and doing the bare minimum to get by," Minister for Communications Anika Wells said in the statement.
reliability low1/3 sourcesBritain this month said it planned restrictions that go further as gaming and live-streaming platforms will also be affected. “I’m heartened by the shift in conversation and the global momentum we’ve seen since introducing the social media minimum age, but it’s clear big tech are not doing enough to comply with the law – there are still too many children on social media,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement.
reliability low1/3 sourcesKUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Reuters) -- Australia said on Saturday it would double the maximum penalty it can impose on tech firms found to have failed to uphold a ground-breaking social media ban for children, as evidence mounts that the ban has had little effect on teen use.
reliability low1/3 sources
Reported detailssecondary facts, each attributed to its source
Australia's six-month-old ban is being closely watched by many nations seeking to emulate it due to concerns about the impact of social media on youth mental and physical health.
according to Bernama
Disputedincompatible versions — to verify
Divergent figures
- The statement said that since the ban has been put in place more than 5 million under-16…Bernama, The Kathmandu Post
- The statement said that since the ban has been put in place more than five million…The Straits Times - Asia
Framing by sidesame fact, different words — loaded terms highlighted
No notable framing divergence.
Blind spotwhat one side keeps silent
No blind spot detected: every side covers the same facts.
Sources3 sources cross-checked
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