The Fold Australia has banned social media for under 16s. And that's just the beginning
Dec 3, 2024
Hal Crawford, former head of Newshub, dives into Australia's ambitious media regulations aiming to tackle big tech. He discusses the groundbreaking social media ban for those under 16, reflecting on societal concerns. The conversation highlights bipartisan support for legislation and the pressing challenges of misinformation. Crawford also critiques the News Media Bargaining Code and explores local content quotas amidst the rise of generative AI. This dynamic dialogue sheds light on the contrasting approaches Australia and New Zealand take toward media regulation.
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Australia vs. New Zealand Tech Regulation
- Australia is actively regulating big tech platforms, unlike New Zealand's laissez-faire approach.
- This active regulation addresses the imbalance between the regulated physical economy and the unregulated digital one.
Drivers of Tech Regulation
- The push for tech regulation isn't solely from legacy media; broader societal concerns exist.
- These concerns include Big Tech's insufficient contribution to society despite deriving revenue from it.
Social Media Ban
- The under-16 social media ban in Australia has bipartisan support.
- This is driven by parental concerns about children's screen time, a major topic of conversation.