Australia decides on innovative law. “The safety and mental health of young people must be our priority.”

Almost every teenager in Australia uses, on average, four different social media platforms. Research conducted by the local government has shown that as many as 95 percent of adults consider online safety to be one of the most difficult parenting challenges.

– For too many young Australians, social media can be harmful. Almost two thirds of teenagers aged 14 to 17 have encountered extremely dangerous content on the Internet. We're talking about drug abuse, suicide and self-harm, says Michelle Rowland, Australia's Minister of Communications.

The center-left government has submitted a bill to parliament aimed at introducing a ban on the use of social media by children under 16 years of age. The list of websites and applications that will be covered by the regulations has not been published yet. However, it is known that it will include, among others, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

– Social media is harming young Australians. We'll finish this. The safety and mental health of young people must be our priority, emphasizes Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia.

The regulations do not provide for any exceptions. Children under 16 will not be able to use social media, even with their parents' consent. The ban will also apply to existing accounts. Children will still be able to use messaging apps and platforms that support health and education. Australia will test age verification systems using, among other things, biometric data.

– The key issue for me and the rest of citizens is how the technology will be implemented and whether it will protect privacy. We will give Australians a choice. We will not collect or share too much information about them, says Andrew Black, managing director of ConnectID.

Companies that fail to comply with age restrictions will face fines of up to A$50 million. This is the equivalent of over one billion three hundred and forty million zlotys.

– Social media has social responsibility. We know they can and should do a better job of dealing with the harm they can cause, so we're making big changes. Platforms are responsible for the safety of users, says Michelle Rowland.

Although many parents welcomed this solution, some experts believe that the ban may have negative consequences. They believe that the regulations may cause children to delve into dangerous areas of the Internet. More than a hundred Australian scientists criticized the ban, calling it “too clumsy a tool.” Teenagers say they are aware of cyberbullying, but they also believe there are many positive aspects of using social media. 14-year-old Ben is afraid he will feel even more isolated.

– I have autism and I have really great difficulties establishing contacts with others. Doing it online is easier and less stressful, admits Ben Kioko, a 14-year-old from Australia.

SEE ALSO: Social media ban. Age limit

Some countries have already introduced restrictions on the use of social media. They apply, among others, in France, where children over 15 years of age can use social media without parental consent.

The Australian solution goes much further. The opposition Liberal Party of Australia plans to support the bill, although Independents and the Green Party are demanding more details about the proposed law. If the bill is adopted, the regulations will enter into force within 12 months. Social media owners will have one year to work out how to implement the age restriction.