You've Been Murdoched: Australia's Teen Ban Offers a Warning for Europe

8 hours ago

Australia's under-16 social media ban was expedited by a media campaign led by News Corp following Meta's withdrawal from news agreements.
The legislation redirected children's attention and advertising revenue back to traditional media, blending commercial interests with child protection.
Mental health and academic opposition was sidelined, with enforcement details unclear and negative impacts on youth support networks emerging.
Europe faces similar pressures with legacy media groups potentially benefiting from age restrictions, though expert opposition is more organized.
Key dissenting voices advocate for targeting platform design over bans, stressing children's rights and the risks of age verification.
The EU has an opportunity to prioritize evidence, platform accountability, and children's agency in its upcoming regulations.

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