Nov 07, Kathmandu- Australia will ban children under the age of 16 from using social media. The government there is planning for it.

Prime Minister Antony Albanese has said that the proposed law will be submitted to Parliament next week. The BBC has quoted him as saying that this bill is being introduced to reduce the negative impact and harm that social media has on Australian children.

He also said that this law is for mothers and fathers. Like me, they are very concerned about their children's safety online. "I want the Australian family to know that the government is standing firm," he said. Some details of the law are yet to be discussed. It is said that the ban will not apply to children who have already created an account on the social network.

There will be no age limit for children who have opened social media accounts with the approval of their parents. Governments have a responsibility to ensure that they are taking reasonable steps to protect children's access to social media. Users will not be penalized.

But Albanese said that the Australian online regulator eSafety Commissioner is responsible for the implementation of the law. The Bill will come into effect within 12 months of its passage. It is said that it will be reviewed from time to time.

Most experts agree that social media damages children's mental health. But the opinion is divided that it should be completely prohibited.