Australia has introduced one of the world’s strictest crackdowns on social media, with lawmakers passing a new bill to prevent anyone under the age of 16 from accessing platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X. The legislation, which has now passed both chambers of parliament with bipartisan support, mandates that social media companies take “reasonable steps” to ensure young teens do not create accounts.
Fines for Non-Compliance
Social media firms that fail to comply with the new rules could face fines of up to AU$50 million (approximately US$32.5 million). While the companies have voiced concerns over the laws, describing them as “vague” and “problematic,” the bill is on track to become law, with the lower chamber of parliament passing it on Wednesday and the Senate approving it late on Thursday.
Centre-left Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has strongly supported the new legislation, positioning it as a necessary step to protect young Australians. In the lead-up to the vote, Albanese highlighted the dangers of social media, describing it as a platform for peer pressure, anxiety, online predators, and scams. He called for young Australians to be encouraged to spend more time participating in physical activities like sports, rather than being glued to their phones.
Despite the government’s strong backing of the new rules, some young Australians, such as 12-year-old Angus Lydom, are unhappy with the ban. “I’d like to keep using it. And it’ll be a weird feeling to not have it,” he told AFP. Lydom, along with his peers, expressed his intention to find ways to bypass the restrictions, a sentiment echoed by 11-year-old Elsie Arkinstall, who argued that social media offers valuable educational content like baking and art tutorials.
While the ban is one of the strictest globally, experts have raised concerns about the lack of details on enforcement. The current legislation provides little clarity on how the rules will be implemented, leaving some to question whether the law will be symbolic rather than effective. It could take up to a year for regulators to finalize the enforcement details.
Potential Exemptions for Certain Platforms
Certain social media platforms, such as WhatsApp and YouTube, may be granted exemptions, particularly for educational and recreational purposes. The bill also includes amendments to prevent the use of government-issued digital IDs for age verification.
The Australian government’s decision has garnered international attention, with many countries now looking at the legislation as a potential model. Some lawmakers in other regions, such as Spain and Florida, have proposed similar measures, although none have yet been implemented. China has already imposed restrictions on minors, limiting their access to apps like Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) to just 40 minutes per day.
Experts like social media consultant Susan Grantham suggest that digital literacy programs, such as those used in Finland, could help children develop critical thinking skills to navigate online content. This approach, alongside the new restrictions, could offer a balanced solution to the challenges posed by social media use among young people.
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