Australia to Ban Social Media Platforms for Children Under 16

X/ @shanghaidaily

November 28, 2024 Hour: 8:19 am

Even if minors have parental permission, they will not be able to access Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Snapchat, X and TikTok.

On Thursday, the Australian Senate is scheduled to vote on a law to prohibit access to social media for minors under 16 years old, imposing multi-million-dollar fines on platforms if they violate the regulation.

The legislative proposal must undergo three readings in the Senate before its final approval. Earlier, on Wednesday, the Lower House passed the bill with 101 votes in favor and 13 against.

The bill stipulates that platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Snapchat, X, and TikTok could face fines of up to US$32.4 million if they allow minors to create accounts on their social networks.

Several weeks ago, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a Labor Party member and the measure’s advocate, clarified that penalties would not be imposed on users or parents. Instead, the responsibility for enforcing the age limit would fall on the social media companies.

In this regard, the Australian eSafety Commission will be responsible for issuing guidelines requiring digital platforms and social networks to implement “reasonable measures” to restrict access for minors.

Here is something for The Australian Senate to consider regarding the restriction of online social networks to those under the age of 16.

The existence of VPNs or Virtual Private Networks, would appear to render this legislation impossible to implement. pic.twitter.com/gQ1rGwhvnP
— True Science PEng, DFP, ADFS, MA, MBA. (@socratesccost) November 23, 2024

This week, multinational companies like Meta and Google requested that the bill not be approved until the Australian government completes technological testing for age verification, which could include biometric data, to enable the law’s implementation.

“This is not about surveillance. It’s about protecting our children in an increasingly digital world,” said Liberal Party Senator Maria Kovacic, who emphasized that her organization has worked hard to ensure user privacy is protected.

However, Green Party Senator David Shoebridge criticized the proposal, calling it “deeply flawed” and “dangerous.” He highlighted concerns raised by mental health organizations, government agencies, and human rights advocates about the risks of its implementation.

Shoebridge stressed that the law would primarily affect vulnerable young people, such as LGBTQ+ individuals in rural areas, who often find support on social media. It would also impact the privacy of all users, including adults.

The law, aimed at protecting children and adolescents from bullying and potential mental health issues, introduces a new category called “social media platforms with age restrictions,” which prohibits access for those under 16, even if they have accounts or parental permission.