World’s first social media ban for under-16s takes effect in Australia

Experts say new law will turn Aus into a laboratory for understanding tech’s impact on youth

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A student uses phone in Sydney | AP

(AP)

AUSTRALIA'S under-16 social media ban will make the nation a real-life laboratory to better understand the technology’s impact on young people, experts say.

Those in favour of Wednesday’s world-first ban point to a growing mass of studies that suggest too much time online takes a toll on teen wellbeing.

But opponents argue there is not enough hard proof to warrant the new legislation, which could do more harm than good by isolating vulnerable children.

It sounds simple: scan your passport, driver's licence, or ID to prove you're 16 or over

However, there are concerns that teens could use a parent or older sibling's ID. Plus, it raises privacy issues, potentially deterring users who are legally allowed to have an account