In a move to bridge corporate social responsibility with grassroots advocacy, Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) has announced a new partnership with Femili PNG to combat the ongoing crisis of domestic and family violence in Papua New Guinea.
The mining giant utilized the high-profile stage of the recent PNG Investment Week conference in Sydney to spotlight the cause. Rather than traditional corporate branding, Ok Tedi purchased and distributed Femili PNG’s specialty coffee, sourced from the Western Highlands as complimentary gifts to international delegates.
The initiative serves a dual purpose to promote premium PNG exports while directly funding essential services for survivors of gender-based violence.
The collaboration comes at a critical time for PNG, where domestic violence remains a systemic challenge. According to Ok Tedi representatives, the partnership is intended to be more than just a donation; it is a public-facing commitment to community safety.
“Domestic violence continues to affect far too many families in Papua New Guinea, and we all have a responsibility to be part of the solution,’’ said Ruth Waram, Ok Tedi’s Manager for Media and Public Relations.
Waram emphasized that the coffee purchase was a strategic choice to amplify Femili PNG’s mission.
“Our purchase of these coffee packs is more than a gesture, it is a statement of solidarity and a commitment towards promoting safer, stronger communities across PNG,” she added.
Femili PNG, a leading non-governmental organization, operates on the front lines of the crisis. Proceeds from their coffee sales are funnelled directly into:
Case management services for survivors.
Safe accommodation and emergency housing.
Outreach and advocacy programs nationwide.
Jocelyn Condon, Executive Director of Femili PNG Australia, noted that corporate backing is vital for the sustainability of these services.
“Funds raised from every purchase of coffee directly supports the services Femili PNG provide to survivors who need safety, care, and a pathway to rebuild their lives,” Condon said.
“Ok Tedi’s support in this initiative, and hopefully into the future, give us all great hope for the potential of business to step forward and resource the movement for positive change.”
Looking Ahead The collaboration at the Sydney conference, hosted by the PNG Chamber of Resources and Energy, marks a growing trend of PNG’s extractives industry engaging with social issues. By integrating a non-profit’s product into a major investment event, Ok Tedi has signalled that the social in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) remains a priority for the company’s operations within the country.
Nearly six years after the COVID-19 pandemic sent many city residents over the hills and far away, regional Australia is again experiencing sustained population growth.
Consistent growth in the regions has re-emerged in the last two years, driven largely by city escapees according to research by the Regional Australia Institute.
City residents moving to the country outnumbered migration in the opposite direction by 36 per cent in the September 2025 quarter, the think tank’s Regional Movers Index showed.
The net number of people moving to Australia’s regions increased by 11.8 per cent, slightly below a recent recorded two-year high.
“Planning and investment to accommodate this growth is a key challenge for governments, industry and communities,” the institute said in releasing the index on Monday.
Separate figures from the Bureau of Statistics showed the regional population grew by nearly 114,000 in 2023/24, with the biggest surge on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
The growth has long put pressure on regional housing markets and infrastructure.
Dwelling values rose by 2.4 per cent in the three months to October 2025, as buyers shunned higher prices and competitive buying conditions in the cities, according to a recent report by analytics firm Cotality.
Regional rental vacancy rates were 1.7 per cent in the final months of 2025, with rents up 6.2 per cent in the country compared to 4.8 per cent across the capitals.
The Institute has called for a greater focus on the pressures facing regional communities, creating a framework to boost livability, jobs and skills and sustainability by 2032.
The Regional Movers Index, which uses Commonwealth Bank customer data to track population movement, showed Sydney and Melbourne were losing residents to the regions at a higher rate than the other capitals.
The top five areas for regional movers were Queensland’s Sunshine and Fraser coasts, Greater Geelong and Moorabool in Victoria and Lake Macquarie in NSW.
Emerging hot spots for sea and tree-changers were Latrobe, Devonport and the Huon Valley in Tasmania and Wodonga and the Colac Otway Shire in Victoria.
The Tasmanian and Victorian regions were appealing to new residents for their industries, lifestyle and landscape, the bank’s regional and agribusiness executive general manager Kylie Allen said.
“While the outlook is positive, attracting and retaining skilled professionals remains a challenge across regional areas,” Ms Allen said.
“Even with a growing population, some sectors remain under pressure.
“Continued investment in training and upskilling will be key to meeting demand.”
Australia is currently grappling with a severe mental health crisis among young men, with suicide remaining the leading cause of death for males aged 15 to 24.
Addressing this challenge requires moving beyond traditional methods that often fail to reach those most in need. Leading this shift is Headstart, a Melbourne-based, Gen Z-led organization that is transforming how young men connect with mental health support.
A New Approach: “By Boys, For Boys”
Founded in 2024 by Nick Irving, Headstart was born out of the gaps in the existing mental health system. Irving observed that traditional care often relies on a “blanket approach” that doesn’t always account for the specific factors affecting an individual.
Instead, Headstart utilizes a lived-experience model, hiring workers who have personally navigated mental health challenges, disability, or the juvenile justice system. This peer-to-peer connection is designed to break down the barriers of formal clinical settings.
“A lot of the existing mental health systems are quite one dimensional and set within their ways, but for us it comes down to showing up to what suits the individual best,” Mr. Irving said. “When young men are guided by mentors who genuinely get them, the connection is instant and that’s where growth starts.”
Breaking the Barriers of Traditional Care
For many families, the struggle isn’t just finding care, but finding care that is accessible. Julia, a mother of four, found that traditional supports were ineffective for her son, Thomas, who struggled to even leave his bedroom after the COVID-19 lockdowns.
The “relaxed way of communicating” used by Headstart proved to be the turning point for Thomas. By meeting young men where they are, rather than requiring them to visit an office, the organization fosters a level of trust that clinical environments often lack.
The impact of this relatable approach is clear:
9 in 10 families report improvements in their son’s routine, independence, and wellbeing.
Partnerships are already established with Monash Children’s Hospital and the Victorian justice department.
Expansion plans are underway to move beyond Melbourne into Sydney and regional areas.
Moving Beyond the “Band-Aid”
The organization’s mission is to move away from temporary fixes toward sustainable growth. As Nick Irving explains, the current system often relies on a “Band-Aid approach” where medication is the primary response. Headstart instead focuses on relatability as the catalyst for change.
“We know that being relatable to these boys and leading with the approach that we do is critical for changing outcomes,” Irving said.
Through this Gen Z-led initiative, Australia is seeing a shift toward mental health care that prioritizes empathy, shared experience, and individual needs over rigid institutional structures.
As a wave of Papua New Guineans and Pacific Islanders move and begin settling in Australia under the new Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV), the reality of the Australia’s housing crisis is reshaping where these new residents choose to call home. While Sydney and Brisbane have long been popular destinations, record-high rents are forcing a strategic shift toward emerging suburban hubs and more affordable southern capitals.
The latest Domain Rent Report highlights a stark divide in the market.
Melbourne has emerged as the most accessible entry point for newcomers, offering the cheapest house rents in the country at a median weekly rate of $580.
In contrast, Sydney remains the most expensive hurdle for families, with median rents hitting $800, followed by Brisbane at $670.
Housing experts note that this financial pressure is driving many to relocate further from city centers and into greenfield developments where infrastructure and lifestyle are rapidly improving.
For those navigating this transition, community support networks are proving vital.
In Melbourne’s more affordable western and eastern corridors, suburbs like Werribee West and Box Hill organizations such as PNGAA Victoria and the Louise Multicultural Community Centre offer essential settlement services ranging from English classes to networking for PNG and Pacific families.
These areas are also served by the Migrant Information Centre and the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) program, which provide direct advocacy for healthcare and education.
Despite the current rental surge in the northern states, property analysts expect a long-term shift in demand. Gareth Croy, Managing Director of financial and property firm Your Future Strategy, predicts that Melbourne will stand out as a “hero” for growth after the early 2030s.
“Based on the growth rates across other capital cities, it (Melbourne) is going to become substantially cheaper, and therefore it’s going to draw demand because that’s the option that people can afford,” Mr. Croy said.
In Queensland, the PNG Federation Queensland Inc and Mana Pasifika serve as critical cultural anchors for those moving into high-demand Brisbane suburbs like Bracken Ridge and Kedron.
Meanwhile, in Sydney’s western “second CBD” of Parramatta, the NSW Council for Pacific Communities and the PHIVE community hub provide resources for those managing a median house price of $1,480,000.
Ultimately, the choice of where to settle is being dictated by employment proximity rather than a desire for city-center living.
“It’s good old fashioned property economics around people wanting to live close to employment, so reducing travel time to and from work,” Mr. Croy said.
“So proximity to the CBD is less important for people and the creation of that hub is becoming desirable for people to just stay around that same area.”
Prime Minister James Marape has signalled what he describes as a major performance-based reshuffle of his government, swearing in three new ministers on Tuesday.
While the Prime Minister framed the move as a strategic “reset” following Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence anniversary, the reshuffle comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of government delivery and internal power dynamics within the Marape-Rosso administration.
Coalition Maintenance or Meritocracy?
The swearing-in of Kompiam-Ambum MP, Sir John Pundari, Tewai-Siassi MP, Dr. Kobby Bomareo and Menyamya MP, Solen Loifa at Government House on Tuesday, according to Prime Minister Marape, is a direct response to the growing influence of the “Our Pati” bloc.
Marape acknowledged the political necessity of the move, noting that Our Pati is now the second-largest party in the coalition.
“Some of the key reforms that were made would not have been passed without the numerical strength and contribution of Our Pati,” the Prime Minister admitted.
By elevating Solen Loifa, the Prime Minister is attempting to project an image of renewal.
“He belongs to the cadre of young emerging leaders… who must be brought into Cabinet to prepare them to lead even when some of us are out of time,” Marape stated.
“These are not ceremonial appointments. They come with hard tasks and clear deadlines,” he stated, emphasizing that the new ministers are entering a “decisive 20-year development window.”
Accountability and the 90-Day Housing Mandate
In a move that puts the entire front bench on notice, Marape has demanded “health and performance reports” from all ministers.
Nowhere is this pressure more evident than in the Housing portfolio. Re-appointed Minister Dr. Kobby Bomareo has been issued a 90-day deadline to deliver a comprehensive national housing and land access programme.
Marape stressed that the goal is to make home ownership achievable for the workforce by removing GST and Stamp Duty on first-home purchases under K700,000.
“This is not just about buildings. It is about making land and housing accessible to our people,” he said.
Recalling the “Old Guard” for National Security
The return of Sir John Pundari, a veteran politician whose career began in 1992, suggests that despite “reset” rhetoric, the administration remains heavily reliant on the political “old guard.” However, the appointment goes beyond mere recycling; it exposes a desperate reliance on provincial identity over systemic reform.
Marape specifically linked Pundari’s appointment to the Ministry of Police to his roots in Enga Province, framing his proximity to the chaos as a strategic asset.
This justification, however, invites a scathing critique of Pundari’s decades-long tenure. If Pundari’s deep-rooted connection to Enga is his greatest strength, one must ask why that same influence failed to stem the tide of high-powered weaponry during his thirty years in the political upper echelon.
By setting a 12-month target for national stabilization, Marape is essentially gambling on the idea that the same political machinery that watched Enga descend into gun-fuelled anarchy can now, suddenly, dismantle it.
The “Old Guard” isn’t just returning to fix the problem; they are returning to fix a crisis that matured under their long-term stewardship.
The ICT Leadership Question: Who is in Charge?
As Peter Tsiamalili Jnr moves into the heavyweight role of Works and Highways Minister, a pressing question remains for the public: Is he still the Acting Minister for ICT?
This leadership vacuum comes at a critical time for the Digital Government Act 2022. The public remains anxious about how their personal information is being stored and used within the new “SevisPNG” digital ID ecosystem, especially as the government pushes for 100% digital integration by 2027.
The Starlink Standoff: Connectivity vs. Law
The lack of a permanent ICT head has intensified the debate over Starlink.
For the average citizen, the standoff feels like a contradiction. While the “Reset@50” agenda promises universal internet access, the country’s most viable satellite solution is currently being “hunted” by regulators. Without a clear ministerial lead to navigate the legal battle with the Ombudsman, many fear PNG will remain a digital outlier in the Pacific; disconnected, over-regulated and left behind.
Mining: Resetting the Resource Framework
Solen Loifa takes over the Mining portfolio with a strict deadline.
Marape intends to overhaul the nation’s resource laws within the year.
“Before September 16, 2026, we want to announce to the country and to the investment community the regime under which mining, petroleum and other resource sectors will operate,” Marape said, signalling a shift toward “taking back more for PNG.”
Ministerial 90-day Performance tracker (Q1 2026)
Portfolio & Minister
Primary 90-day Target
Key Metric & Big Bets
Housing (Dr Kobby Bomareo)
National Housing & Land Access Program
• Finalize removal of GST and Stamp Duty for first-time home buyers. • Identify specific state land parcels for first-home worker allocations.
Police (Sir John Pundari)
Highlands Stabilization Framework
• Deploy strategies to “remove guns” and stop tribal fighting in Enga, Hela, and SHP. • Integration of village court official payments into the formal system.
Mining (Solen Loifa)
Resource Regime Finalization
• Progress the Wafi-Golpu and Porgera strategic developments. • Draft the new “Take Back PNG” policy framework for the Sept 2026 deadline.
Works & Highways (Peter Tsiamalili Jnr)
Connect PNG Implementation
• Oversee the K1.7 billion infrastructure budget. • Audit existing contracts to ensure no “conflict of interest” in construction projects.
Last year was the world’s third warmest on record, underscoring a trend already fuelling destructive fires and floods in Australia in the early days of 2026.
Official confirmation from respected climate monitoring outfit Copernicus puts 2025 marginally behind 2023 and 0.13C cooler than 2024, which hangs on as the hottest year on record.
In 2025, the global surface air temperature was 1.47C above the pre-industrial level, with temperatures now averaging above 1.5C – the agreed limit set by signatories of the Paris Agreement – for three years running.
The global climate pact has not yet been exceeded as it relies on longer-running trends.
But if warming continues as expected, the 1.5C benchmark could be reached by the 2030s – more than a decade earlier than first predicted when the landmark pact was signed.
In Australia, 2025 was tarnished by record-high ocean temperatures, driving widespread coral bleaching off the Western Australian coast and in the Great Barrier Reef.
Elevated ocean temperatures were also thought to have contributed to the intensity and rainfall extremes brought by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred as it barrelled through southeast Queensland and northern NSW.
Griffith University Emeritus professor of science, technology and society Ian Lowe said that since the 1980s, scientists had been warning of both increases in average temperatures as well as more frequent and severe extreme weather events.
“At the moment, we’re seeing appalling bushfires in Victoria and appalling flooding in Queensland,” he told AAP.
“And this is exactly what the science has been telling us.”
Australians had already been warned of a catastrophic summer of fires and another year of warmer ocean temperature could also spell trouble for coral reefs and the tourism businesses reliant on them.
“It’s getting more and more unlikely that the Great Barrier Reef can recover from the succession of bleaching events,” Prof Lowe said.
Globally, the past three years have been exceptionally warm for a few main reasons, the first being the ongoing accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trapping in heat.
Carbon sinks, ecosystems that soak up carbon, have also been weakening.
As well, sea-surface temperatures have been particularly high, in part due to an El Nino event but also other climate change-influenced variability.
Changes in aerosol concentrations has also contributed to the three-year run of particularly elevated global temperatures.
A neutral to weak La Nina – a weather pattern associated with cooler global temperatures – in the equatorial Pacific contributed to lower air and sea temperatures in the tropics last year than in 2024 and 2023.
The higher temperatures of the two years prior were in part driven by a strong El Nino event, linked to warmer global temperatures.
Cooler temperatures in some regions were countered somewhat by a warmer polar region, with Antarctica experiencing its highest annual average temperature value, and second-highest in the Arctic.
In early 2025, sea ice across the two poles was at its lowest level since satellite monitoring began in the 1970s.
Prof Lowe was critical of Australia’s commitment to slowing global temperate rise.
“At the state and national level, governments are still behaving as if we can keep approving extensions of coal mines and new new gas field project, which is literally tipping petrol on the fire.”
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently appointed Takafumi Kadono as its new Country Director for the Papua New Guinea Resident Mission. Based in Port Moresby, Mr. Kadono will lead the development and execution of the ADB’s upcoming country partnership strategy, steering the bank’s multifaceted engagement across the nation.
The appointment comes at a pivotal time as the ADB continues its role as one of PNG’s primary financing partners, particularly in large-scale infrastructure and social services.
“We will work with the Government of PNG to further boost economic growth and social development by supporting improvements to the country’s transport and energy sectors, increasing access to health and education services, and bolstering the competitiveness of the private sector,” said Mr. Kadono.
“ADB will continue to work closely with key partners to enhance the inclusivity and resilience of PNG’s financial and health systems to future shocks.”
Mr. Kadono, a Japanese national, brings more than 26 years of international development expertise to the role. His career spans tenures at both the World Bank Group and the ADB, most recently serving as the ADB’s Country Director for Sri Lanka.
His leadership will oversee a broad portfolio that extends beyond traditional infrastructure. The ADB’s current footprint in PNG includes:
Education: Partnering with the Government of Australia to fund technical and vocational training designed to align student skills with industry demands.
Health: Implementing policy reforms and direct investments to improve public financial management and system-wide resilience.
Infrastructure: Providing critical financing for the nation’s transport and energy networks. About the ADB.
Established in 1966 and owned by 69 members, the Asian Development Bank is a major multilateral lender focused on sustainable and inclusive growth in Asia and the Pacific. The organization utilizes innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to address complex regional challenges, ranging from infrastructure development to climate change.
Prime Minister, James Marape has issued a stern directive to Papua New Guinea’s public sector, calling for a total “reset” of the government machinery as the nation transitions from its Golden Jubilee celebrations into its 51st year of independence.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s Public Service Opening and Dedication Service, the Prime Minister emphasized that the event is a mandatory call to action for all Ministers, departmental heads, and public servants, rather than a mere ceremonial tradition.
A Shift from Celebration to Delivery
Following the conclusion of PNG’s 50th Independence Anniversary, Marape signaled that the period of national festivities has ended, and a period of aggressive implementation must begin.
“We have celebrated our past. Now we must build our future,” the Prime Minister stated.
“Our people have given us a mandate. Our development framework is clear. Our priorities are set in MTDP IV. There is no excuse for delay, confusion or complacency.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks highlight a sense of urgency, noting that the country’s success depends on the efficiency of its workforce. He warned against the loss of productive time to “unnecessary delays” and “inefficiencies,” stressing that the responsibility of nation-building extends beyond the executive level.
“When it is work time, it must be work time,” he said.
“This country cannot be built by just the Prime Minister, Ministers or department heads. It must be built by every officer, from the highest executive to the front-line public servant.”
The “Critical” 20-Year Window
The Prime Minister framed the current era as a pivotal 20-year phase that will ultimately define the country’s trajectory for future generations. He identified this period as the window in which PNG must maximize economic growth, bolster infrastructure, and eradicate systemic corruption.
“The next 20 years will decide everything; how big our economy becomes, how strong our infrastructure is, how safe our communities are, and how clean and efficient our public service will be,” Marape said.
“This is when we must grow our economy the fastest, build our infrastructure the greatest, strengthen our law-and-order system, protect our sovereignty, and eliminate corruption.”
Accountability and Action
Central to this vision is the performance of the public service. Marape noted that while policies are firmly in place through the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) IV, the burden of proof now lies in the execution of those plans.
“Every ministry, every department, every agency already knows what it must do,” he said.
“Our national priorities are clearly set out in MTDP IV. We do not need more talk. We need action.”
Tomorrow’s dedication service in Port Moresby is expected to see full attendance from government leadership and board members of State-Owned Enterprises, serving as the formal launch of what the Prime Minister described as the “next leg” of the national journey.
“This is our reset moment,” Marape concluded.
“The work starts now. The expectations are high. And every public servant has a role to play.”
Sparks are flying on social media as a viral video creates a whirlwind of debate around Papua New Guinea and its vast linguistic landscape.
At the center of the storm is a reel uploaded by global influencer Yuji Beleza, who, during his travels in Japan, crossed paths with Papua New Guinean, Joseph Baki Kaore.
As is the nature of Yuji’s content, he asked Kaore to say something in his native language so Yuji could try to guess its origin. Kaore warned Yuji that it might be a difficult guess, but proceeded to give it a try.
Final Language Boss 🇵🇬 . Papua New Guinea has the most languages in the world. There are nearly 850 languages. 10% of the world’s languages are in Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬 . #papua#africa#japan#papuanewguinea#languages
“Rabirabi namona,” Kaore answered. A greeting in the Roro language of the Kairuku District in Central Province.
This simple exchange has seen many Papua New Guineans sharing conflicting opinions. A large segment of the audience argued that Kaore’s response did not represent the “main” language of the country, suggesting he should have spoken in Tok Pisin, the most widely used vernacular in Papua New Guinea.
Others, however, stood by Kaore. They pointed out that as a man hailing from Kairuku, a district in the Central Province, he correctly answered in his local Roro dialect. This highlights a crucial distinction: while Tok Pisin is one of Papua New Guinea’s three official recognized languages, it is not an indigenous language in the same way Roro is. Tok Pisin evolved originally as the local creole but languages like Roro are the ancient, rooted identity of the people and the land itself.
Diversity as Strength, Not Conflict
This debate is, in many ways, nonsensical. Papua New Guinea is the most linguistically diverse nation on earth, boasting over 860 distinct languages. The argument over which language “best” represents the country ignores the very fact that defines us.
One single language cannot be the defining tongue of Papua New Guinea because our 1,000+ tribes are built on the foundation of 860+ different ways of speaking.
This viral moment serves as a call to action for the people of Papua New Guinea. Rather than disputing which language is ‘official’ enough, the nation should celebrate this as a victory for all 860+ voices on the global stage. True national identity is found in honoring every local dialect and recognizing that our beauty lies in our complexity, not in a forced uniformity.
Beyond Words: The Greeting Controversy
It wasn’t just the spoken words that were scrutinized. Another point of contention was the greeting Kaore displayed, a respectful act where two people touch foreheads.
Joseph Kaore showing Yuji Beleza how people greet eachother in the Kairuku way.
Critics online (largely uninformed) were quick to claim this gesture resembled the Hongi of the Māori culture. However, this form of greeting is traditional practice in the Kairuku culture of the Central Province, as well as several cultures in the Gulf Province.
Rather than labelling this gesture as pirated from Māori culture, it should be viewed as a testament to the deep cultural ties among Pacific nations. While we are geographically spread across the ocean, we share deep ancestral roots and a Pacific history that naturally results in cultural similarities.
A Call for Cultural Education
Instead of dividing ourselves through debate, this viral moment should be viewed as an opportunity to learn. It is a reminder that as people coming from such a diverse background, more education is needed regarding our own neighbors’ customs.
While schools host annual cultural shows and traditional dances are showcased every September 16th for Independence Day, we must ask: Is this enough?
Is enough being done to preserve PNG’s unique dialects and traditions, or is the country falling prey to the homogenizing influence of the Western world? When a “standard” identity is favored over tribal roots, people risk losing the very things that make them unique.
While the world marvels at Papua New Guinea’s diversity in language and cultures, Papua New Guineans must also improve their knowledge about other Papua New Guinean cultures to be able to tell the world about them.
More than half a million accounts have been wiped from Facebook, Instagram and Threads since under-16s were banned from social media in December.
Meta, the tech giant behind the three platforms, said it had removed 544,052 accounts belonging to teens in a compliance update a month after the ban came into force on December 10.
Between December 4 and 11, Meta said it took down 330,639 Instagram accounts, 173,497 Facebook accounts, and 39,916 Threads accounts it believed belonged to those under 16.
Teenagers are also banned from using other platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, X, Reddit, Kick, and YouTube, with the onus on tech giants to detect and deactivate accounts.
Fines of up to $49.5 million apply if they fail to take “reasonable steps” to remove under-16 users.
Communications Minister Anika Wells said the ban would protect children from online harms and the negative impact of addictive algorithms.
“With one law, we can protect Generation Alpha from being sucked into purgatory by predatory algorithms described by the man who created the feature as ‘behavioural cocaine”,” she said in a National Press Club speech before the ban’s launch.
In its update, Meta took aim at the ban, arguing it failed to increase the safety and wellbeing of young Australians as they could still use platforms like YouTube in a logged-out state.
“The premise of the law, which prevents under 16 year-olds from holding a social media account so they aren’t exposed to an ‘algorithmic experience’ is false,” the tech giant said.
“Platforms that allow teens to still use them in a logged-out state still use algorithms to determine content the user may be interested in – albeit in a less personalised way that can be appropriately tailored to a person’s age.”
App stores should be required to verify age and obtain parental consent before children can download any app, Meta said.
“That is the only way to guarantee consistent, industry-wide protections for young people … and to avoid the whack-a-mole effect of catching up with new apps that teens will migrate to,” it said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said the rollout wouldn’t be perfect but other countries were following in Australia’s footsteps.
“It won’t be perfect because this is a big change,” he said before the ban kicked.
“I’ve been asked … what will success look like? Success is the fact that it’s happening.
“Success is the fact that we’re having this discussion, parents are talking to their children around the breakfast table.”
Meta wants the government to engage with tech companies to “find a better way forward” including incentivising industry to raise the standard in providing safe algorithms.
