Australia passed a landmark law on Thursday banning social media access for children under 16, a move that has sparked intense debate across the nation.
This new regulation, considered one of the toughest in the world, requires tech giants like Meta (owner of Instagram and Facebook) and TikTok to prevent minors from logging in, with the potential for fines up to A$49.5 million ($32 million).
A trial phase to test enforcement methods will begin in January, and the full ban is set to take effect in one year.
The Social Media Minimum Age bill positions Australia as a key player in a growing global movement, with many governments considering or implementing similar age restrictions due to concerns over the mental health risks posed by social media to young people.
While some countries, including France and several U.S. states, have introduced laws requiring parental consent for minors to access social media, Australia’s ban is more stringent, prohibiting access for all children under 16.
The law’s passage is a significant victory for centre-left Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who faces a challenging election in 2025 amid low approval ratings.
Despite opposition from privacy advocates and some child rights groups, polling shows overwhelming public support, with 77% of Australians backing the ban.
The law follows a parliamentary inquiry that heard heart-wrenching testimony from parents of children who had self-harmed as a result of social media bullying.
Media outlets, led by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, have strongly supported the ban through campaigns such as “Let Them Be Kids.”
However, the legislation may strain Australia’s relationship with the United States, particularly with tech mogul Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), who criticized the law as a “backdoor way to control access to the Internet” for Australians.
This move also reflects Australia’s growing tension with U.S.-based tech giants.
The country was the first to require social media platforms to pay royalties to local media outlets for sharing their content, and it now plans to impose fines on companies that fail to combat online scams.
Meta responded to the law by expressing concern over the rushed process, which they argue did not adequately consider the evidence or the views of young people.
A Meta spokesperson also emphasized the need for further consultation on the details of the rules, including ensuring that the burden on parents and teens is manageable.
TikTok and X representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Some tech industry representatives, like Sunita Bose from the Digital Industry Group, which represents social media companies, have called for more clarity on the methods the government will require to enforce the law.
“We have the bill, but we don’t have guidance from the Australian government on what the right methods are,” Bose said, stressing the need for more direction before implementing the legislation.
The law sets a precedent that could influence other countries grappling with the impact of social media on young people, as Australia becomes the first nation to introduce such a sweeping regulation.
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