Snapchat Don Begin Age Checks For Australia Ahead Of Di Social Media Ban

Snapchat don begin dey ask teenage Australians make dem verify dia age, di company tok on Monday, just weeks before Canberra go start di new law wey go ban any pikin wey never reach 16 from using social media. From December 10, Australia go force platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok make dem remove users under 16 or face heavy fines. Snapchat say many users go dey asked to verify dia age dis week using Australian bank account, government ID or face photo wey third party go use estimate age. From December 10, any user wey no reach 16 go get dia account locked, and Snapchat don advise all teen users make dem quickly download dia data before di ban start. Di messaging app say even though dem no gree with di government decision, dem go still comply, but warn say disconnecting teens fit push dem go less safe apps. So far, 10 platforms like Discord, WhatsApp, Lego Play and Pinterest no dey inside di ban, but authorities fit update di list anytime.

Di new law don attract global attention as regulators dey find how to handle social media risks, with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon planning similar bill and Netherlands government don already advise parents make dem stop children under 15 from using TikTok and Snapchat. Australia ban dey considered one of di strictest for di world, but experts dey fear say e fit just be symbolic because enforcing and policing age verification online no easy. Australian authorities still reserve di right to expand di ban if needed. Dem say di sweeping restrictions fit work, but e go depend on how platforms and teens take respond to di age checks and new rules.