Australia Passes Under-16 Social Media Ban Amid Tech Giants' Concerns

Nov 27, 2024, 10:00 AM

Australia's House of Representatives has passed a bill, with a vote of 102 to 13, that would ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter), even with parental permission. The proposed legislation, supported by both the government and the Coalition, aims to protect minors from exposure to harmful content such as violence, self-harm, and illegal drug use. Major technology companies, including Google, Meta Platforms (the owner of Facebook), and TikTok, have urged the Australian government to delay the bill, expressing 'serious concerns' over the readiness of age-verification technology and potential unintended consequences. Some independent MPs and crossbench members voted against the ban. The bill has moved to the Senate for further debate and is expected to pass within days. If enacted, social media platforms would have one year to comply before penalties of up to 49 million Australian dollars (approximately $33 million) are enforced for non-compliance.