AUSTRALIA PASSES LAW BANNING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR UNDER 16’S – The first of its kind legislation will take effect in one year
Australia has become the first country in the world to pass a law banning social media access for children under 16, a move that could set a dangerous global precedent. The groundbreaking legislation was approved by the Senate with 34 votes in favour and 19 against and is set to take effect in one year.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese cited a “clear, causal link between the rise of social media and harm to the mental health of young Australians” as the supposed driving force behind the new law.
Once enacted, the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill will make it illegal for anyone under 16 to use social media platforms. This age limit is the highest of its kind worldwide and will apply even with parental consent. Violations could result in fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (£25.4 million).
A trial of “age-assurance technology” will begin immediately and is expected to conclude by mid-2025. However, details on how age verification will work remain unclear. The Senate’s Environment and Communications Legislation Committee has stipulated that platforms cannot require users to provide personal data, such as passport information, for verification.
While the specific platforms impacted by the ban haven’t been officially named, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland indicated that Snapchat, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Reddit, and Facebook are likely to be included. YouTube, however, has been exempted due to its focus on educational content.
