VOCABULARY LIST
Legislation (noun) /lɛdʒəsˈleɪʃən/: A law or set of laws made by a government.
Example: The new legislation will set a minimum age for social media access.
Trial (noun) /traɪəl/: A test of something new to see if it works well.
Example: The government is waiting for the results of the age-verification trial.
Age-verification (noun) /eɪdʒ vɛrəfəˈkeɪʃən/: A process to confirm someone’s age.
Example: The age-verification trial is testing ways to ensure users are the right age.
Addiction (noun) /əˈdɪkʃən/: A strong need to keep doing something harmful.
Example: Social media addiction is becoming a problem for young people.
Framework (noun) /ˈfreɪmwɜk/: A structure for something, like a plan or system.
Example: The report outlines a legal framework for setting age limits on social media.
Parental consent (noun) /pəˈrɛntəl kənˈsɛnt/: Permission given by a parent or guardian.
Example: Social media companies may need to get parental consent for users aged 14 or 15.
Minimum age (noun phrase) /ˈmɪnəməm eɪdʒ/: The lowest age someone is allowed to do something.
Example: The legislation will introduce a minimum age for using social media.
Enforce (verb) /ɛnˈfɔs/: To make sure that laws or rules are followed.
Example: The government will enforce the new social media age limits through the law.
Harm (noun) /hɑm/: Damage or injury caused by something.
Example: Early access to social media is causing harm to children.
Add up (phrasal verb) /æd ʌp/: To make sense or come together.
Example: The information from the trial will add up to help create a better policy.
ARTICLE
The Albanese government is planning to introduce new laws that will set a minimum age for teenagers to access social media and gaming platforms. This legislation is expected to be presented in parliament before the next federal election.
The prime minister will announce the plan on Tuesday, but the exact age limit has not been confirmed yet. The government is waiting for the results of an age-verification trial, which is currently in its final phase, before deciding.
“We know technology changes quickly,” Albanese said. “No government can protect every child from every danger, but we need to do our best. Parents are very worried about this, and they are dealing with a challenge no generation has faced before.”
The government will also consider a report by former High Court chief justice Robert French, which outlines a framework for setting a minimum age for social media use. South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas supports setting the age at 14, but it’s possible the federally enforced age could be higher.
The draft bill proposed in the report would require social media companies to get parental consent for teenagers aged 14 or 15 and to use technology to block younger users from accessing their platforms. This includes both social media and gaming platforms.
Malinauskas said that social media addiction is harming children, comparing it to cigarettes or alcohol. He believes it’s the government’s responsibility to protect kids from these dangers. The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allen, also announced plans to limit children’s access to social media, saying it’s difficult for parents to control what their children see online.
National cabinet recently discussed setting a minimum access age and how to verify users’ ages. A trial is now underway to test different technologies that can verify a user’s age, with the third stage beginning on Tuesday.
The communications minister, Michelle Rowland, said the age-verification trial is an important step in making sure children use the internet safely and responsibly.
Albanese reassured parents, saying, “We’re listening and we’re determined to get this right.”
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has previously supported setting the minimum age at 16 and promised to make it law within 100 days if his party wins the next election.
SOURCE:
This article is based on: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/sep/09/social-media-age-limits-to-go-before-parliament-ahead-of-next-election-albanese-says
Comprehension activity - multiple choice
Want to turn reading into speaking practice? In 1:1 lessons, we’ll break down real news stories and use them in conversation.
