Australia has banned social media use for children under 16 to prevent harm or misinformation stemming from misuse. The law, set to take effect one year from now, imposes a minimum fine of AUD 50 million on any tech company found in violation. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported this development on November 28.
The Australian Senate, the upper house of Parliament, approved the law.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the necessity of the law to shield children from “harmful” social media influences. Many parents across the country support this measure. Albanese stated, “This is a global issue. We want young Australians to genuinely experience a childhood. We want parents to feel at peace.”
The law was introduced in the lower house of Parliament last week by Prime Minister Albanese. It does not specify which social media platforms will fall under the ban. Australia’s Communications Minister will make those determinations based on advice from the e-Safety Commissioner.
Gaming and messaging platforms are exempt from the ban. Platforms like YouTube, which can be accessed without an account, are also likely to remain exempt.
Critics have raised concerns about how the ban will be enforced and its potential impact on privacy and social connections. They also argue the measure may encourage increased use of VPNs, enabling Australians to bypass the restrictions.