Sydney, November 26, 2024 – Google and Meta have urged the Australian government to delay the implementation of a bill that would ban children under the age of 16 from using social media. The tech giants expressed concerns that more time is needed to properly assess the potential impact of the proposed legislation. They suggested waiting for the results of an ongoing age-verification trial, which could provide valuable insights before proceeding. The bill, introduced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government, aims to protect children from the harmful effects of social media and would hold platforms accountable for ensuring that users are above the required age limit, with penalties for non-compliance.
The bill is scheduled for a vote by the end of the parliamentary year, but Google and Meta have raised concerns about the lack of clarity surrounding the proposed regulations. They also pointed to the insufficient time for expert consultations to fully evaluate the potential consequences of such a sweeping policy. TikTok has also joined the criticism, calling the process rushed and urging for a more thorough approach to protect children’s welfare online.
Under the proposed law, social media companies would be held responsible for ensuring users are of legal age to use their platforms, with penalties of up to A$49.5 million for any breaches. The bill aims to address the growing concerns over online safety for young users, who are increasingly exposed to harmful content and interactions on social media.
The companies’ objections to the bill come amid increasing scrutiny of social media’s role in the lives of children and teenagers. As the debate continues, critics argue that a more thoughtful, evidence-based approach is needed to balance child protection with the realities of digital access in modern society.
