Australia Bans Social Media for Children Under 16
Australia’s parliament has passed a landmark law banning children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms, making it the first country in the world to implement such a ban. The new legislation, which has drawn global attention, prohibits platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Reddit from allowing users under the age of 16.
The law was introduced in response to concerns raised by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the link between the rise of social media and the decline in mental health among young Australians. Albanese emphasized the need to protect children’s well-being, stating that the government wanted to ensure they could enjoy their childhoods free from online harms.
The Senate passed the bill with 34 votes in favor and 19 against. Companies that violate the law could face hefty fines of up to AU$50 million (approximately US$32 million). However, YouTube was excluded from the ban due to its focus on educational content. While the law has been praised by some as a bold step in protecting children, it has also sparked significant opposition. Critics, including academics, advocacy groups, and tech experts, have raised concerns that the ban could push teenagers toward unsafe online spaces, such as the dark web, or lead to greater social isolation.
There are also concerns about how the law will be enforced. Critics warn that requiring platforms to verify the age of users could lead to privacy issues, particularly if companies are forced to collect extensive personal data. Amnesty International has argued that the ban might not achieve its intended goals and could isolate young people, potentially causing more harm than good. The bill garnered significant public attention, receiving over 15,000 submissions in just one day, many of which opposed the measure. The attention was amplified after tech billionaire Elon Musk highlighted the proposal on X.
The law will come into effect in 12 months, giving the government time to trial age-verification technologies and make necessary adjustments. This delay allows time for further debate and refinement of the law’s implementation, as the government seeks to balance protecting children with the realities of enforcing such a sweeping regulation in the digital age.
