SYDNEY, November 29, 2024: In a landmark decision, Australia has approved a law that bans children from using social media platforms, marking one of the toughest regulations in the world in order to control the impact of Big Tech.
The law requires major social media companies, including Meta Platforms (which owns Instagram and Facebook) and TikTok, to prevent minors from accessing their services or face significant fines of up to A$49.5 million (US$32 million).
The law will begin with a trial enforcement phase in January, with the full ban set to take effect in one year.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the law emphasizes the social responsibility of tech platforms to ensure the safety of children.
“We are making sure that mums and dads can have that different conversation today and in future days,” Albanese said, highlighting concerns over the dangers of social media on children’s physical and mental health.
The government has raised alarms about the harmful effects of excessive social media use, particularly for young girls, who are at risk of exposure to unrealistic body images, and for boys, who may encounter misogynistic content.
Albanese has stressed that the ban aims to protect children from these threats.
While some countries, including France and certain U.S. states, have enacted laws requiring parental consent for minors to access social media, Australia’s ban is more sweeping, completely prohibiting under-14s from logging in.
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A similar under-14s ban in Florida is currently being challenged in court on free speech grounds.
The legislation was fast-tracked through Parliament during the final sitting week of the year, but it has faced criticism for a lack of thorough scrutiny.
Some lawmakers and social media companies have argued that the bill’s rapid passage could lead to unintended consequences, with TikTok warning that it could put children at greater risk.
This new regulation adds to Australia’s already tense relationship with tech companies, having previously been the first country to force social media platforms to pay royalties to media outlets for sharing their content.
The government is also pushing for tougher actions on platforms to prevent scams, further solidifying its stance on holding Big Tech accountable.