Australia is set to impose hefty fines on social media companies that fail to prevent children under 16 from using their platforms, under groundbreaking new legislation introduced this week.
The proposed laws, unveiled by the governing Labor Party, place the responsibility squarely on tech firms to enforce the age limit, rather than on young users or their parents. Companies that repeatedly breach the regulations could face penalties of up to 50 million Australian dollars (approximately $32.5 million USD).
“This is about protecting young people, not punishing or isolating them, and letting parents know we’re in their corner when it comes to supporting their children’s health and wellbeing,” said Michelle Rowland, Minister for Communications, during the parliamentary session.
The move aims to address concerns over the impact of social media on youth mental health and well-being. By preventing under-16s from accessing these platforms, the government seeks to reduce exposure to potentially harmful content and addictive behaviors encouraged by algorithm-driven feeds.
Notably, online gaming and messaging services are exempt from the ban. Rowland explained that gaming is already regulated under existing age classification schemes, and including messaging apps could “make communication within families harder.”
The federal opposition has indicated support for the legislation, suggesting it will pass through both houses of parliament with a strong majority. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has previously stated that the laws would take effect at least 12 months after parliamentary approval.
While the government has yet to detail how age verification will be implemented, it plans to utilize findings from a trial of age verification technology funded in the recent federal budget. Enforcement will be overseen by the eSafety Commissioner.
This pioneering approach by Australia could set a precedent for other nations grappling with the challenges of underage social media use. As young people around the world navigate the digital landscape, the balance between access and safety remains a critical issue.
Reference(s):
Australia to penalize tech firms over social media ban for minors
cgtn.com
