Brisbane: The Australian government has unveiled plans to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms, with multimillion-dollar fines proposed for companies that fail to enforce the restriction.
Introduced by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, the amendment to the Online Safety Act seeks to make Australia a global leader in social media reform, aiming to protect young users from online harm and reduce the exposure of minors to cyberbullying and other risks.
“This reform is about protecting young people and reassuring parents that we’ve got their backs,” Rowland said. If passed, the bill would establish 16 as the minimum age for social media use in Australia.
When it comes to protecting our kids we have to do more than wring our hands. We need to take action. pic.twitter.com/nYzgviTOjm
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) November 21, 2024
Under the proposed legislation, social media companies like TikTok, X, Instagram, and Snapchat would face penalties of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($32.5 million) if they fail to implement sufficient age verification measures.
The reform has bipartisan support and is expected to come into effect within a year. Rowland emphasized that the responsibility would fall on social media platforms, rather than parents or children, to ensure that age restrictions are upheld.
The government’s proposal comes in response to growing concerns over online bullying and the mental health impact of social media on young people. The move follows several tragic incidents where children took their own lives due to online harassment, as well as widespread parental concerns about the pressure to be online.
While many parents and advocates for children’s safety have applauded the bill as a much-needed step, critics argue that the blanket ban could hinder teenagers’ access to vital support networks, such as mental health resources, and might push some to circumvent the rules.
To aid in the enforcement of the proposed ban, the Australian government has partnered with the UK-based Age Check Certification Scheme to trial age verification technology.
Additionally, the government has proposed a “digital duty of care” for social media providers, requiring them to ensure user safety and prevent online harm.
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