Art attack: Metal statues depicting soldiers and members of the public have
X questioned the "lawfulness" of the bill - saying it may not be compatible with international regulations and human rights treaties which Australia has signed.Some youth advocates also accused the government of not fully understanding the role social media plays in their lives, and locking them out of the debate.
"We understand we are vulnerable to the risks and negative impacts of social media… but we need to be involved in developing solutions," wrote the eSafety Youth Council, which advises the regulator.Albanese has acknowledged the debate is complex but steadfastly defended the bill."We don't argue that its implementation will be perfect, just like the alcohol ban for [children] under 18 doesn’t mean that someone under 18 never has access – but we know that it’s the right thing to do," he said on Friday.
Last year, France introduced legislation to block social media access for children under 15 without parental consent, though research indicates almost half of users were able to avoid the ban using a VPN.A law in the US state of Utah - which was similar to Australia’s - was overturned by a federal judge who found it unconstitutional.
Australia’s laws are being watched with great interest by global leaders.
Norway has recently pledged to follow in the country’s footsteps, and last week the UK’s technology secretary said a similar ban was “on the table” - though he later added “not... at the moment”."It can be extremely dangerous," he said.
"The water can get very cold, water from the reservoir pours over the dams when it's been raining."Other residents asked how someone could get there with no obvious means of transport, and why his belongings would not be found on the shore.
Rosemary Stow, who runs craft gallery Quillies, said most tourists do not make it past the visitor centre in the nearby Elan Valley."You don't see a lot of cars up at Claerwen dam or in the car park below, it is such a lonely place," she said.