Meta says Australia’s under-16 social media ban is driving teens to less regulated platforms like Lemon8 and yope, potentially making them less safe.
SYDNEY: Tech giant Meta has warned that Australia’s ban on social media for under-16s is pushing young people towards less regulated platforms.
The company stated this shift could ultimately make teenagers less safe online.
“We’ve consistently raised concerns that this poorly developed law could push teens to less regulated platforms or apps,” Meta said in a statement.
“We’re now seeing those concerns become reality.”
Lesser-known chat and image-sharing apps like Lemon8 and yope have surged in Australian download charts.
These platforms are not currently listed under the country’s social media ban.
Meta argued many alternative apps lack the advanced safety features it has developed.
These include specialised teen accounts with enhanced privacy and content controls.
“While we’ll meet our legal obligations, we remain concerned this law will make teens less safe,” the company added.
The statement underscores an ongoing debate about the effectiveness and unintended consequences of the Australian legislation. – AFP
