In a significant move aimed at _____________ (A) children's mental health and online safety, Australia’s House of Representatives has passed a bill that would _____________ (B) young children from accessing social media platforms. The legislation, which is now set to be debated in the Senate, proposes a strict age verification system to ensure compliance.
Under the bill, children under the age of 16 would be barred from creating accounts on social media platforms, while those between 16 and 18 would require parental _____________ (C). The government argues that excessive social media use negatively impacts children's well-being, leading to increased anxiety, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful content.
Advocates of the bill _____________ (D) it as a necessary step in protecting young minds from online dangers. “This is about prioritizing children's mental health over corporate profits,” said an Australian MP in support of the legislation. However, critics argue that the ban may be difficult to enforce and could _____________ (E) children toward unregulated online spaces. Some also raise concerns about privacy risks associated with age verification measures.
If the bill passes the Senate, Australia would join a growing number of countries _____________ (F) stricter online safety laws for minors. As digital technology continues to evolve, the debate over balancing internet freedom with child protection remains a crucial issue worldwide.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank A.

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**Solution:**

1. The sentence talks about a significant move aimed at protecting children's mental health and online safety.

2. The word that best fits blank (A) should mean "to protect or keep safe."

3. Among the options, "safeguarding" means protecting or ensuring safety, which aligns perfectly with the context.

4. Other options like "jeopardizing" (putting in danger), "confusing," and "endangering" contradict the intended meaning.

**Answer:** (a) safeguarding

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