Under 16 Social Media Ban with George Christensen

Just when you thought the Mis/Disinformation Bill was defeated and we could take a breath, the government proposes legislation that "protects our kids" by requiring ALL Australians older than the age of 16 to use digital ID to access social media/online platforms.

The Social Media Minimum Age Bill 2024 and mandatory age verification might seem like a good idea to protect children in this country, but it could create a whole new set of problems, like compromising privacy. Instead of over-regulation, we should focus on empowering parents and improving digital education so families can handle online challenges directly. And of course, the question always remains; who’s responsibly is it to raise our children?

While the bill aims to safeguard younger users, its focus on mandatory age verification and content filtering may not effectively address the root causes of online harm. A more effective approach would involve community-driven solutions, including digital literacy programs and empowering parents with the tools to guide their children online.

It’s also important to note, that all Australians will be required to access their platforms with digital ID (possibly facial recognition) in order to prove they are over the age of 16. 

Join us on Monday 25 November to discuss this pressing issue with George Christensen. The legislation is being pushed through both the House of Representatives and the Senate at a rate of knots, with the Albanese government hoping to have it passed by both Houses by 28 November 2024. 

For those who don't know George Christensen;

George Christensen is an Australian politician, currently serving as a member of the Mackay Regional Council. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 2010 to 2022 (4 terms), serving as the member for the division of Dawson. He was a member of the Liberal National Party of Queensland and sat with the National Party in federal parliament, prior to leaving the party in April 2022 to join One Nation just days before the end of his parliamentary term. George is the National Director of Citizen Go, Australia. 

George describes himself as a "Christian, freedom lover, conservative, local government councillor, former member of the Australian Parliament, blogger, podcaster, journalist, theologian". 

Everyone who registers for this webinar will be sent the recoding once its ready.