Australia has approved a ban on social media for children under the age of 16. This ban has given rise to an emotional debate all over the world. This ban has set a benchmark for courts around the world. This ban is one of the strictest rules targeting Big Tech companies. According to the new law, giant tech companies like Meta Platforms, owners of Instagram and Facebook, as well as TikTok will have to prevent minors in Australia from logging in to social media sites and apps, otherwise they will have to pay a fine of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (32 million Australian dollars).
This ban will come into effect after almost a year.
This decision of the Australian government has given rise to a new debate all over the world. Although the government has taken this decision after a long debate, a debate has already started about its success. People have reacted to it in different ways, including both anger and relief. Some called the worldwide ban a “great idea”, while others considered it an imposed move. An 11-year-old girl surprised everyone by saying, “I think I’ll still use it, just join it more secretly.” On the other hand, tech giants argue that the ban could push young people towards the “dark corners of the internet”. They believe that the process has been done in a hurry and it could put children at greater risk.
What Indian experts say
There are mixed views on whether children should be banned from social media, with some experts raising concerns about the potential impact on children and others questioning the one-sided nature of the argument against social media:
Working on measures to avoid the use of fake identities
Some experts are concerned that the ban could isolate children from their online social networks. Others are concerned that the ban could push children into the dark corners of the internet, where there are no safety tools or protection.
Some experts question the one-sided nature of the argument against social media.
Experts believe that instead of imposing a complete ban on social media, the government should work on measures so that children do not use social media with fake identities.
There should be smart ways to handle social media
Teenagers also have their own opinion about the ban. Navya of 8th class says that a complete ban on social media is unfair, rather such efforts should be made so that we can use it in a smarter way. Ashish of 9th class says that social media has now become an integral part of our lives, just as we can choose subjects, in the same way we can choose things that are useful to us from social media.
Children will have to learn media literacy
The principal of a famous school in Delhi says that ban is not a solution, we need to make children aware about the right and wrong use of media.
Social media increases the intellectual power of students
Experts believe that social media increases the intellectual level of students. Therefore, instead of banning it, there should be such measures so that children can use it positively.
