A woman is seen using her phone while standing on a footpath in central Sydney on November 7, 2024. – AFP
Australia's prime minister has pledged to prohibit children under 16 from accessing social media, citing the detrimental effects of platforms like Facebook and TikTok on young users. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that tech companies would be held accountable for enforcing this age restriction and could face substantial fines if underage users are found on their platforms. Australia is at the forefront of nations attempting to regulate social media, and this proposed age limit would be one of the most stringent measures globally aimed at protecting children.
Albanese addressed the issue outside parliament, saying, "This is for the parents. Social media is causing real harm to kids, and I'm putting an end to it." The new legislation will be presented to state and territory leaders this week and is expected to be introduced to parliament by late November. Once enacted, social media platforms will have a year to implement and enforce the ban.
Albanese emphasized that the responsibility lies with social media platforms to prove they are taking reasonable steps to prevent underage access, describing this as a "world-leading" reform. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, expressed willingness to comply with any age restrictions imposed by the government. However, Meta's head of safety, Antigone Davis, cautioned that poorly drafted laws could create a false sense of security without improving the situation for teens and parents.
Snapchat referenced a statement from industry group DIGI, which warned that a ban could prevent teenagers from accessing mental health support. TikTok has not yet commented on the matter. Once hailed as a tool for staying connected and informed, social media platforms have faced criticism for issues like cyberbullying, the spread of illegal content, and interference in elections.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland noted that social media companies have consistently failed to meet their obligations. She warned that platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Elon Musk's X could face financial penalties if they do not comply with the new laws. While Rowland did not specify the fines, she suggested that amounts like US$600,000 (Aus $1 million) would be insufficient for companies with revenues in the tens of billions.
Experts have questioned the technical feasibility of enforcing a strict age ban, citing existing age verification methods as unreliable or privacy-invasive. Exemptions will be considered for platforms like YouTube, which teenagers may need for educational purposes. Australia has intensified its efforts to regulate tech giants in recent years, with mixed results.
A bill aimed at combating misinformation was introduced earlier this year, granting broad powers to fine tech companies for violating online safety obligations. Additionally, laws have been enacted to prohibit the sharing of non-consensual "deepfake" pornography. However, attempts to regulate content on Musk's X have been stalled by ongoing legal battles.
France introduced laws in 2023 requiring social media platforms to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent for users under 15.
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