<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australians will have to prove their age to access pornographic websites, R-rated video games and explicit chatbots when landmark rules come into effect on Monday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Under the new age-restricted material codes, search engines, social media platforms, websites, app stores, gaming providers and generative AI systems will need to prevent children from being exposed to age-inappropriate content online. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This includes any pornography, violent, self-harm, suicide and disordered eating content. </span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-business-owner-sends-premier-chris-minns-24000-bill-over-new-public-holiday-costs/95bd2449-c6a5-4e38-9888-39d29628d090" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Business owner sends premier $24,000 bill over new public holiday</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Research by the eSafety Commission found that one in three children aged 10 to 17 has seen sexual images or videos online.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>More than 70 per cent were found to have seen or heard violent content or self-harm material portraying suicide and disordered eating.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said children's emotional and psychological development and well-being are "at stake".</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/esafety-commission-age-restriction-codes-aussies-to-prove-their-age/f6e14c62-4e3d-4c13-b53b-bcbc2413d254" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We don't allow children to walk into bars or bottle shops, adult stores or casinos, but when it comes to online spaces where they are spending a lot of their time, there are no such safeguards," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Under these codes, if a young person searches the internet for suicide or self-harm content, the first result they see will be a helpline – not a harmful online rabbit hole.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"These obligations will help prevent exposure to potentially harmful content and direct at-risk children to real, lifesaving support."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/qld-cyclone-weather-forecast-tropical-low-north-queensland-pelted-with-heavy-rain-millions-prepare-for-wet-weekend/af168ca1-ac26-46c7-8199-46f5413d5f38" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Millions of Aussies to cop heavy rain over coming days</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Adults will still be able to access legal adult content, but may have to provide proof of age to access services that allow explicit content. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Search engines like Google will have to blur explicit search results by default unless an adult is logged into their account.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Pornographic websites will also have to do more than ask a simple "are you 18 or older?" question. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If online providers fail to meaningfully introduce age-restrictive measures, they could be fined up to $49.5 million per breach.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The eSafety Commission will be monitoring providers to ensure they are following the new rules. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Make no mistake, where we see failures or foot-dragging, we will hold companies to account," Grant said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get 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