Today Apple CEO Tim Cook called me to brief me on the major announcement Apple has made regarding their new online safety controls for children.
Mr Cook told me these changes are in part inspired by Australia’s world-leading social media age ban, as well as the continued research Apple is undertaking into the impact of social media on kids.
I 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.
We have a long way to go, and we knew it would not be easy.
However, we are now seeing a number of nations follow Australia’s lead and take forward their own social media age bans.
Mr Cook invited me to visit Apple the next time I am in the United States to see this technology in action, and I plan to take up that offer so we can keep learning how best to protect our kids.
Australian 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.
Social media companies have a social responsibility, and we make no apology for holding them to account to help keep kids safe.
