Michelle Rowland
She once admitted her own Insta weakness. Now she’s banning social media for kids
Known for taking such a cautious approach that she reads from notes even in private meetings, Michelle Rowland is now leading the world with her social media ban for under 16s.
- by Paul Sakkal
Latest
This man has the job of working out how Australia’s social media ban will work
There are three key options to assess the age of a social media user. The company that will trial technologies for the Australian government explains what happens next.
- by Natassia Chrysanthos
No compromise: Labor targets Greens in election on up to 20 bills
Labor has pulled its misinformation crackdown and won’t put forward gambling reform this week but is pushing the Greens to accept its agenda on up to 20 other bills unchanged.
- by David Crowe
How would a social media ban actually work?
Almost a quarter of children aged eight to 10 use social media, as do half of 13-year-olds. How would new laws banning them from apps actually keep them off?
- by Paul Sakkal, David Swan and Tim Biggs
Exclusive
Social media
‘Deeply flawed’: Truth bill on the brink in Senate showdown
Key senators are blockading a divisive government plan to crack down on lies in major public debates.
- by David Crowe
YouTube on ban list as all states back teen social media crackdown
The agreement throws state support behind the federal government’s bid to impose the restrictions on social media platforms.
- by David Crowe
Updated
Social media
Children under 16 to be banned from using social media
“Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I’m calling time on it,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said as he announced the ban.
- by Paul Sakkal and Michelle Griffin
MPs back tax on tech giants
But Coalition members of a parliamentary inquiry labelled Labor “weak” for failing to force Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, to renew deals with media businesses.
- by Paul Sakkal
Opinion
NBN
NBN is the government’s $60 billion investment that will never be sold
Realistically, the government would crystallise a loss of the order of tens of billions of dollars if the NBN was sold – and that assumes someone would want to buy it.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Exclusive
Privatisation
Not for sale: Labor moves to keep NBN in public hands
After weeks of debate about the Middle East, the government will try to force the opposition’s hand on the $51 billion internet network.
- by David Crowe
Exclusive
Online gambling
‘Nanny state’: NRL, AFL storm the field over gambling ads
Australian rugby league chief Peter V’landys and AFL boss Andrew Dillon are using their sway with political leaders to stop a total digital ad ban.
- by David Crowe and Paul Sakkal