Technology giant Apple was \u201cinspired\u201d by Australia\u2019s world-leading under-16s social media ban just months after the measure drew consternation in Silicon Valley, CEO Tim Cook has revealed in a personal call with Anthony Albanese. <\/p>\n
In a press release, Apple said it was introducing a suite of features designed to allow parents to \u201cmore easily manage the content their children can see, who they can communicate with, and when they have access to apps\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cParents will be able to access new child safety features, including a simpler set up experience with a recommended set of essential apps, Ask to Browse, Time Allowances, and a redesigned Screen Time,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n
Mr Albanese said he was briefed on the updates in a call from Mr Cook.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr Cook told me these changes are in part inspired by Australia\u2019s world-leading social media age ban, as well as the continued research Apple is undertaking into the impact of social media on kids,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI welcome this announcement, and I am proud of the world leading work Australia is doing to fight for a safer online world for our children.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Albanese said he was invited by Mr Cook to Apple\u2019s headquarters the next time he was in the United States.<\/p>\n
\u201cI plan to take up that offer so we can keep learning how best to protect our kids,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Australia\u2019s social media ban was pushed by the Let Them Be Kids campaign, and saw children banned from 10 major social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.<\/p>\n
Mr Albanese acknowledged the government had \u201ca long way to go\u201d, with eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant revealing during Senate estimates no compliance action had been taken against social media sites as the online watchdog worked to verify disenrollment numbers. <\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, we are now seeing a number of nations follow Australia\u2019s lead and take forward their own social media age bans,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAustralian parents led this effort, and we are proud to back them. We have already seen more than 5 million under-16s accounts removed, deactivated or restricted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSocial media companies have a social responsibility, and we make no apology for holding them to account to help keep kids safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
A number of countries have either pledged to implement, or are in the process of attempting to legislate, a social media ban including Malaysia, France, and Spain.<\/p>\n
As part of the update, Apple has launched a dedicated website for parents to help guide the implementation of its new child safety measures. <\/p>\n
Apple\u2019s vice president of Health and Fitness Sumbul Desai, said the Silicon Valley juggernaut\u2019s approach was to help families \u201ccreate safer digital experiences is grounded in the belief that every child is unique\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why we build simple and intuitive tools, based on expert guidance, to let parents tailor their kids\u2019 digital journey,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cToday, we\u2019re introducing major updates to help families thoughtfully establish age-based protections and develop healthy digital habits.\u201d<\/p>\n