Official announcements from the Australian government or legislative records

Australia Introduces Ban on Social Media for Under-16s; Elon Musk Criticizes Proposal

Nov 21, 2024, 03:01 AM

Australia's government has introduced a world-first bill to Parliament that would ban children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter). Under the proposed legislation, social media companies that fail to enforce the ban could face fines of up to AU$50 million (approximately $32.5 million). The move, presented by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, is aimed at protecting young Australians from online harms and mental health issues associated with social media use. The ban would not allow for parental consent exemptions, meaning even with parental approval, under-16s would be prohibited from using these platforms. Elon Musk reacted to the Australian government's proposal, stating it "seems like a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians." The UK is also considering a similar ban, with Technology Secretary Peter Kyle stating that "everything is on the table" to protect children online. Some experts and commentators have raised concerns about the feasibility of such bans, the methods of age verification, and the potential implications for privacy and digital rights.