Australia Bans Social Media For Under 16s

Social media stress

Australia has banned social media for under 16 year olds. It is a bold move and Australia is the first country in the world to do it. People 15 and under can't use social media anymore.

This is to protect children from the stresses caused by social media. It can be addictive for children. Social media can also be a dangerous place if you are not careful. They can easily be bullied and aren't so easily protected by parents.

There is opposition however. Some parents have said they will help their child break the law to get onto social media. But two thirds of voters in Australia support the new law. Research suggests heavy social media use could affect that development.

What do you think?

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to ban: 禁止する

has banned: 禁止した

social media: ソーシャルメディア、SNS

under 16s, under 16 year olds: 16歳未満

a bold move: 大胆な動き

15 and under: 15歳以下

can't anymore: もうできない

to protect: 保護する

stress(es): ストレス

to cause, caused: 引き起こす、引き起こされる

addictive: 中毒性

also can be dangerous: 危険になることもある

place: 場所

to be careful: 注意する

to bully, be bullied: いじめる、いじめられる

opposition: 反対

however: しかし

some parents: 一部の親

break the law: 法律違反

two thirds: 3分の2

voter(s): 有権者

to support: 支持する

the new law: 新しい法律

research suggests that ～:

heavy use: 過度の使用

to affect development: 開発に影響を与える