「澳洲禁令：16歲以下青少年不得使用社群媒體」

社群媒體世界發生重大變化。澳洲已禁止16歲以下的兒童加入多個社群平台。新法律規定，未滿16歲者不得在 Facebook、Instagram、Reddit、Snapchat、Threads、TikTok、X 和 YouTube 等網站開設帳號。現在，這些社群平台必須負責確保所有用戶年齡在16歲以上。澳洲政府表示，如果公司允許兒童使用其平台，將會被罰款，金額最高可達3290萬美元。各公司表示將使用不同方法檢查用戶年齡，新用戶必須上傳身份證明並進行人臉掃描。

A big change has happened in the social media world. Australia has banned children under the age of 16 from joining many social networks. New laws say the under-16s cannot open accounts with sites like Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, and YouTube. It is now the responsibility of these social media sites to make sure all of their users are aged 16 or above. Australia's government said it would fine the companies if they allowed children to access their sites. The fines could be as much as $32.9 million. The companies said they would use different methods to check the age of their users. New users will have to upload identification and scan their faces.

Australia's Prime Minister said he introduced the ban because social media was harming young minds. He said a study showed that 70 per cent of children aged 10-15 who used social media looked at harmful content. This included information about misogyny, violence, eating disorders, and suicide. He advised children to do different things instead, like starting a new sport or learning to play a musical instrument. His message to children was: "Spend quality time with your friends and your family, face to face." Many children said they would now be lonelier without social media. Two 15-year-olds are suing Australia's government. They say their "right to free communication" has been taken away.

1. •Banned (verb) - Officially forbidden.
2. •Responsibility (noun) - Duty.
3. •Fine (verb/noun) - A monetary penalty.
4. •Access (verb) - Enter or use.
5. •Identification (noun) - ID (proof of who you are).
6. •Scan (verb) - Digitally record (e.g., a face).
7. •Introduced (verb) - Brought in (a new law).
8. •Harming (verb) - Damaging.
9. •Misogyny (noun) - Hatred of women.
10. •Disorders (noun) - Illnesses or conditions.
11. •Suicide (noun) - The act of killing oneself.
12. •Suing (verb) - Taking legal action against.
13. Communication (noun) - Exchange of information.