Peter Andre has backed Australia’s social media ban for teenagers and warned that the ‘dangers are so real’ online for children as he hopes that other countries will follow suit
Peter Andre has publicly backed Australia’s decision to ban teenagers from using social media as he warned of the “dangers” children could face online.
The ban, which came into effect overnight last Wednesday, means that children under the age of 16 in Australia are no longer allowed to have social media accounts. Some campaigners said such a ban could lead to bad actors targeting children in other online spaces, such as gaming or messaging platforms.
Pop star Peter, 52, who has Junior, 20, and Princess, 19, with ex-wife Katie Price but is now married to Emily Andre and has Millie, 11, Theo, nine, and 20-month-old Belle with her, grew up in Australia and threw support behind his home country’s decision.
Writing in his new! magazine column, he said: “Australia has implemented their social media ban for under 16s, and it’s great. When people ask me if it’s a contradiction that I’ve had my kids on social media, we have to remember that when social media first started, we were all new to it. We didn’t know the pitfalls of it.
“Now, we’re seeing what AI can do; that’s why our youngest children are not on it. I fully support the ban. I know that’s not what kids under 16 want to hear, but it will do them so much good. I hope the rest of the world catches on. The dangers are so real.”
Australia has announced that all citizens under 16 will be banned from using social media. From December 10, the Australian government requires platforms to deactivate all accounts for under 16. These platforms must take “reasonable steps” to prevent users from holding an account until after they turn 16, or face a fine of up to $49.5m (£24.5m).
Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Snapchat, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch and Kick are named as the apps to be included in the ban. However, the Australian government has said the list is dynamic and other platforms could be added if kids flee to one that hasn’t initially been included and raises similar concerns as those posed in the banned apps.
Platforms will need to decide how users’ ages are verified, but have required that requesting ID cannot be the only form of age check. Reactions to the ban have been varied. Some believe it’ll be “ineffective” and others believe the apps that have been banned aren’t “essential” anyway. One wrote: “I hate the ban, I’ll have to fake my age. Hope the government didn’t see that.”
A petition against the ban said it would be “unfair and harmful” for Australian teens, citing a loss of online safe spaces and future opportunities, privacy risks and increased loneliness for young people.
“Instead of banning social media, the government should teach digital safety, promote healthy online habits, and make platforms more responsible. Young people deserve to be part of the digital world safely and with their voices heard,” the now-closed petition read.
However, on TikTok, responses seem to be positive, especially from users across the world. One wrote: “I’ve been online since I was 10 and I’m 23 now. I fully support this. I’m certain I’ve been messed up in many ways from this. Thank you Australia, from Canada.”
However, on TikTok, responses seem to be positive, especially from users across the world. One wrote: “I’ve been online since I was 10 and I’m 23 now. I fully support this. I’m certain I’ve been messed up in many ways from this. Thank you Australia, from Canada.”
Another commented: “They should do this everywhere in the world.” “Genuinely best law ever, I’m 18 and my brothers are just too young for social media, literally unnecessary!!! I was too young too,” a third typed.
A fourth wrote: “As a Gen Z who accidentally discovered so many weird things on the internet, I’m so glad this is happening. I wasn’t protected from social media as a child and it wasn’t fun so I feel like 16 is the perfect age.”
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