The government’s under-16s social media ban, set to come into effect on December 10, will not include the popular gaming platform Roblox, which is in the sights of Australia’s federal police chief for harbouring abusers, but will include Reddit and livestreaming site Kick.
Minister for Communications Anika Wells has defended the crackdown on livestreaming platforms, batting away concerns over potential blowback from parents of teenage boys who are active users of these platforms.
Children are being exposed to social media-style apps on Roblox, experts warn.Credit: Nathan Perri
“I think that’s something that we want parents to be conscious of and to be having those discussions around the dinner table or driving to school… Also that if their teenage boys are giving them any grief about it, they can say, don’t blame me. It’s the law. Blame the minister,” Wells told Nine’s Today show this morning.
She said that concerns kids will get around the bans should not deter the government from taking action.
“There will be children today that purchase alcohol out there in Australia, despite the fact that it’s against the law. Kids will be kids. You and I have met them. You and I are raising them.
“Nonetheless, this is important cultural change, and just because some kids are going to get access to alcohol today doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have a law forbidding that, and that’s what this will do,” she said.
“This will be meaningful change. I really, genuinely think it’s going to change a generation.”
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