An influential Australian family with millions of followers on YouTube has announced their decision to relocate to the United Kingdom. This decision is in reaction to a recent ban in Australia. The measure prohibits anyone under 16 from making content available to kids on social media. As a result, the family’s 14-year-old daughter will be able to carry on her thrilling odyssey as an upstart influencer in the UK. She’ll soon be stripped of this privilege by new Australian laws.
Now the Australian government has taken this to an extreme by introducing a social media ban. This important move is intended to shield young users from the detrimental influence of the online ecosystem. Beginning December 10th, nine social media platforms will be subject to heavy-handed new rules. These platforms are Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Threads, and two still-to-be-named platforms. Teens younger than 16 are still able to view videos on YouTube. But unlike their adult counterparts, they are not able to set up accounts to upload exciting content, take free trips or engage with others.
The ban also applies to the live-streaming platform Kick. Tech companies that fail to abide by the new regulations would be liable for substantial fines. They should be made to pay at least up to A$50 million, about $32.5 million or £25.7 million. Opinion polls consistently find that, among Australian adults, around 80% support the rollout of these restrictions. This trend represents an important new priority for the safety and development of children in the digital environment.
Mental health advocates warned that the ban would have unintended, harmful effects. Opponents contend that it could remove children from crucial social experiences. Opponents say it might drive kids to more dangerous, unregulated corners of the internet. Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, drew attention to these issues. To our surprise, here she emphasized the need to stall access to social media accounts.
“Delaying children’s access to social media accounts gives them valuable time to learn and grow, free of the powerful, unseen forces of harmful and deceptive design features such as opaque algorithms and endless scroll.” – Julie Inman Grant
She reinforced that the federal government’s goal is not to be perfect but to make a big splash in their attempt.
“We aren’t chasing perfection, we are chasing a meaningful difference.” – Anika Wells
The family is already looking forward to resettling in the UK. They share their thoughts on what this decision means for their daughter’s future aspirations of being the world’s first young influencer. The move serves to illustrate just how far reaching the Australian government’s social media ban will be felt. It also affects families in how they adjust to our evolving digital age.