Australia's social media ban wins praise from Europe at UN event
In short:
The mother of a teenager who died by suicide after being bullied online has spoken at an event in New York, where Australia's plan for a social media age limit was presented to foreign leaders.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen praised Australia's move as "plain common sense".
What's next?
The age limit takes effect in December. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the "legislation is where the world is going".
Australia's social media age limit has won the support of the European Commission president during an event at the United Nations.
From December 10, Australia will ban children under 16 from accessing social media platforms, with the onus on tech companies to prevent their access.
Australia hosted an event overnight on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York to explain the reasons behind the move and generate global momentum for others to follow suit.
Australia's willingness to take on the social media giants is drawing significant international interest.
Emma Mason, whose 15-year-old daughter Tilly died by suicide after being bullied on social media, spoke powerfully at the event, in front of an image of her daughter.
Matilda "Tilly" Rosewarne experienced bullying online by her peers. (Supplied.)
"Death by bullying enabled by social media" is how the mother and lawyer described her daughter's suicide, detailing the harassment Tilly faced leading up to the tragedy and explaining what happened on the day she died.
"Afterwards, police confirmed her phone history was full of Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok videos related to suicide, death and mental illness," Ms Mason told the event.
"This was death by bullying but it was enabled by social media."
'Hold my Tilly and all lost children in your hearts'
Ms Mason, from Bathurst in central west NSW, told the crowd that social media has unleashed "real harm on its users".
"Life is moving on for everyone else, except us. We watch as other parents' children get licences, they graduate. All the things that our babies won't achieve — and it's brutal," she said.
"Since Tilly died, I've had the privilege of meeting so many parents like me because there were so many Tillys in the community.
"There are Max, Ollies, Livs, Charlottes, Siennas, Allans. These are real Australian children who have died by suicide — and social media was to blame.
"So now I ask you to hold my Tilly and all the lost children in your hearts and do what you can to change the narrative across our world for Tilly's sake because how many more Tillys must die?"
She drew a standing ovation after the speech. Leaders from Greece, Malta, Fiji and Tonga were amongst those in the room.
Mother's speech draws praise from leaders
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen told the audience she had been "inspired" by Australia's "bold" move to introduce the ban.
Ursula von der Leyen said the social media ban was common sense. (AAP: Lukas Coch)
"It is obvious this is plain common sense," she said.
Ms von der Leyen argued many European countries were pushing for similar laws.
"As a mother of seven children, and grandmother of five, I share their view," she said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was "overwhelmed" at the response in the room.
"The truth is that our legislation is where the world is going," he said.
Mr Albanese praised the courage and advocacy of Ms Mason in bringing the issue of social media harm to the world stage.
He said if he had the power to hand out Orders of Australia, he "would have walked up on stage here and given Emma one on the spot".
"We give praise to people who are politicians and business leaders," he said. "This is a mum and, you know, she's fantastic."