The Australian government has implemented a new law to ban social media platforms from targeting children with ads. This ban is being hailed as a ‘world-leading’ move to protect children from harmful advertising practices on these platforms.
The new law requires social media companies to put in place measures to prevent children under 16 from being targeted with personalized ads based on their online behavior. The Australian government believes that this will help to protect children’s privacy and mental well-being while they are using social media.
The decision to enforce this ban comes as concerns grow over the influence of social media on children’s mental health and behavior. Research has shown that exposure to targeted ads can have a negative impact on young people’s self-esteem and decision-making abilities.
However, some critics argue that this ban may not go far enough to protect children from the harms of social media. They suggest that more stringent measures should be put in place to regulate the content that children are exposed to online.
Despite these criticisms, the Australian government remains committed to improving the online safety of children. They are also working towards implementing other measures to protect children from online harms, such as cyberbullying and harmful content.
Overall, this new social media ban in Australia is a significant step towards safeguarding children’s well-being in the digital age. It sets a precedent for other countries to follow in addressing the impact of social media on young people and ensuring their safety and privacy online.
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