Australia is widening the scope of its world-first
ban on social media use for children under 16, with regulators asking more
companies to assess whether they fall under the new law.
Platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and
YouTube are already included in the ban. But the head of the eSafety
Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, has now written to 16 additional
companies, including Pinterest, Lego Play, streaming service Kick, and
gaming giant Steam, requesting them to “self-assess” their eligibility.
Companies that believe they should be exempt will need
to present their case, according to Australia’s national broadcaster, ABC.
Inman Grant said while some cases were “pretty clear,”
the commission was committed to a fair review process:
“We need to hear them all out. We’ll give them the due
diligence process,” she told ABC.
The regulator said it would prioritize platforms
with the largest user bases, citing greater risks of online harm to
children on those services.
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