Australia Bans Social Media for Under-16s; Platforms Face Fines Up to A$49.5 Million

Dec 1, 2024, 06:24 AM

Australia has enacted a world-first law banning children and teenagers under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and X. The legislation passed through parliament with bipartisan support and is set to come into effect within the next 12 months. The move aims to protect minors from the potential harms of social media, including mental health issues and exposure to inappropriate content. Platforms that fail to comply with the new regulations could face fines of up to A$49.5 million (US$32 million). The law has sparked significant debate both domestically and internationally. A YouGov survey indicates that 77% of Australian voters support the ban, and there is considerable interest from other countries in adopting similar measures. A large majority of Germans reportedly favor a similar ban, and governments in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada are considering raising social media age limits or tightening content oversight. However, the legislation has faced criticism from big tech companies, including Meta, which argue that the law does not consider the voices of young people and raises concerns over age verification and privacy. Tech billionaire Elon Musk criticized the ban, prompting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to suggest that Musk is pushing an agenda for his social platform X. Albanese stated he is willing to engage with Musk regarding the criticism. There are concerns about how the law will be implemented and enforced, particularly regarding age verification and the potential impact on online anonymity and privacy. Parents and child safety advocates have hailed the passing of the new law as a “reclamation of childhood.”