Australia is set to introduce a world-first ban prohibiting children under the age of 16 from using social media following the Senate's approval of a landmark law. The government has stated that the measure is essential to safeguard the mental health and overall wellbeing of young people.
The legislation, which allows for significant fines of up to AU$50 million for platforms that fail to prevent children from creating accounts, does not name specific platforms to be included. However, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has indicated that popular platforms such as TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit, and Facebook are all likely to be affected. Websites that can be accessed without an account, such as YouTube, and gaming or messaging platforms are exempt from the restrictions.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese introduced the bill, emphasizing the need for children to experience a proper childhood, free from the potential harm of excessive social media use. "This is a global problem, and we want young Australians to have a childhood," Albanese stated. "We want parents to have peace of mind."
Critics of the legislation, including privacy advocates and some children's rights groups, argue that it undermines parental authority and may isolate children from the social connections and positive interactions that social media can provide. Additionally, over 140 Australian and international experts in technology and child welfare recently signed an open letter to the prime minister, describing the age restriction as "too blunt an instrument" to effectively address the risks of social media.
Concerns have also been raised about the lack of scrutiny during the legislative process, with some critics arguing that the law may be difficult to enforce and could have unintended consequences. Jackie Hallan, a director at ReachOut, a youth mental health organization, opposed the ban, noting that 73% of young Australians who access mental health support do so through social media.
Despite these objections, supporters of the legislation, including Wayne Holdsworth, whose teenage son tragically died following an online sextortion scam, believe the move is a necessary step to protect children. Holdsworth expressed pride in the Senate's decision, calling it a vital measure for safeguarding young Australians.
The legislation allows a year for social media platforms to develop technological solutions to ensure compliance while maintaining user privacy. Trials to test enforcement mechanisms are scheduled to begin in January. With this bold measure, Australia may set a precedent that other countries closely follow in the near future.