Australia Shakes Up Social Media Rules For Kids, Missouri Reacts

Australia Leads with a Groundbreaking Social Media Ban

Australia is trailblazing with a new law that prevents children under 16 from creating accounts on popular social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. This unprecedented move aims to encourage more offline interactions and mitigate social media's negative effects on young users. Advocates see this as a step towards letting kids enjoy a screen-free childhood.

Describing the initiative, Kelli Jackson, Assistant Professor at Saint Louis University, said, "The social media ban in Australia is being positioned as more of a delay – basically saying, 'let kids be kids.'" Australia's initiative is drawing attention from experts worldwide, including those in St. Louis.

Spotlight on St. Louis: Educators Weigh In

The ripple effect of Australia's decision has reached Missouri, where educators and researchers are taking note. "A lot of parents and educators are already using tools and techniques to try to get kids to spend time off of devices more in the real world," Jackson explained. The law prohibits children from having interactive social media accounts but allows them to view content. This places the onus of enforcement on the tech firms themselves, rather than parents.

“Legislation that protects children tends to have broader support, and that’s where we’re most likely to see movement,” said Jackson.

Challenges and Global Reactions

The enforcement of Australia's new regulation presents significant hurdles. Age verification through artificial intelligence is a sticking point for tech companies, who prefer parents take responsibility. This echoes issues faced in Missouri, where age-verification laws have seen tech pushback. For instance, when adult content sites were required to implement age checks, some opted to block access entirely to Missouri residents.

Despite these challenges, the concept is gaining traction globally. Countries like France, Denmark, Malaysia, and Norway are exploring similar measures. Meanwhile, in the US, a California lawmaker is considering legislation that mirrors Australia's approach for children under 16. For now, all eyes are on Australia, as its bold move continues to spark international debate and inspire new legislation.