Australia says world will follow social media ban as Meta starts blocking teens
18 points
2 hours ago
| 8 comments
| reuters.com
| HN
greatgib
55 minutes ago
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I sincerely hope that this kid generation will take revenge of all the old fart politicians and lobbyist that pushed for that when they get older. Like passing laws forcing everyone after 60 in retirement home with a ban of internet and tv for them...
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washadjeffmad
35 minutes ago
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Somehow, continuing the trend, this will affect none of the people responsible and only harm Millennials.
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defrost
2 hours ago
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In earlier today AU news:

How teens are already using their parents to get around Australia’s social media ban

  ‘I just put my mum’s face in for the facial verification and it worked,’ a 13-year-old told Crikey. 
~ https://www.crikey.com.au/2025/12/04/social-media-ban-parent...
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rainonmoon
2 hours ago
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eSafety’s line against this sort of bypass is they’re mandating that bans are arbitrated based on user activity and behaviour. So the reality is that the government is attempting to force companies to increase their surveillance of children (and every other user in the process).
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Kim_Bruning
28 minutes ago
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Some reporters are starting to compare the big social media giants to the old tobacco firms.

We know that some of the engagement algorithms in use are exploitative. We know that people are susceptible to them. It's quite typical that children get protected against exploitation before adults are.

I just hope non-harmful media don't get tarred with the same brush.

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Garvi
19 minutes ago
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I'd be curious as to how one would define this "non-harmful" media? Seems like the linchpin to our future.
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graemep
8 minutes ago
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Non-harmful means whatever the government wants it to mean.
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theothertimcook
2 hours ago
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There are ads on Reddit for a secure age verification system that uses your bank account to prove you're over 16.

The current trend with authoritarian moves in Australia, law changes targeted young people, whether to prevent them from committing crime or to protect them from it, then broadened out to the rest of the population.

E.g intoxicated teens stabbing each other has turned into compulsory wanding and searches by police in public.

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jackvalentine
2 hours ago
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Putting aside any opinion on success and workability of this regulation, social media/big tech walked right in to this one.
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randyrand
2 hours ago
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And just like that Australia made kids on social media even “cooler”.
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andsoitis
2 hours ago
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The kids are gonna be pissed.
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kevin061
2 hours ago
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I sure hope so
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bn-l
1 hour ago
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Same
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