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Australia plans to create minimum age limit so that children can use social networks, because of concern for his mental and physical health, what was the reason reaction from digital rights defenders, warning that the measure could drive dangerous online activity underground.

Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said his centre-left government would carry out age verification test ahead of the introduction of minimum age laws for social media this year.

Albanese did not specify his age. but he said he would probably be among 14 and 16 years old.

The President announced Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

I want to see kids without their devices on soccer fields, in swimming pools, and on tennis courts. We want them to have real experiences with real people because we know that social media is causing social harm.

The law will place Australia among the first countries in the world in imposing rage restriction on social networks. Previous attempts, including attempts European Unionfailed after complaints about the restriction of minors’ rights on the Internet.

The goal of META.O, owner Facebook and Instagramwhich has voluntary minimum age set at 13 years, he said he wanted train young people to profit from their platforms and provide parents with tools to support them, “rather than simply denying access.”

Owner YouTube, Alphabet of GOOGLE.O, did not respond to a request for comment, and TikTok He was not immediately available for comment.

Australia is one of the most connected countries in the world, with four-fifths of its own 26 million people on social networksAccording to the technology sector. Three quarters of Australians aged 12 to 17 have used YouTube or Instagram, according to a study conducted University of Sydney.

Albanian announced age restrictions plan in context of parliamentary inquiry the impact of social networks on society, in which testimonies were heard, sometimes emotional, about negative impact on the mental health of adolescents.

However, research has also heard concerns about whether a lower age limit could be applied and if so, then if may unintentionally harm young people by encouraging them to hide their online activity.

(Reuters)