MELBOURNE, Australia: Australia’s government has proposed a significant step to protect children from the harmful effects of social media by planning to ban access for users under the age of 16. This legislation is set to be introduced in Parliament during the final two weeks of the 2024 session, with the law expected to take effect 12 months after its passage, allowing social media platforms to make necessary adjustments. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok will be required to implement measures to ensure compliance.
The law will hold social media companies accountable for enforcing the age restriction, while parents or children will not be penalized. There will be no exceptions for children with parental consent or those who already have accounts. However, exemptions may apply in cases where continued access is necessary for educational purposes. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the government’s concern for the safety of young Australians online, stating that social media poses significant harm to children.
The proposed bill has sparked debate. Some experts argue that it is too broad and may not effectively address the complex issues surrounding children’s online activity. Concerns have been raised that such a ban could push children to find unregulated parts of the internet or prevent them from accessing important support networks online. Platforms like Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, have expressed willingness to comply with any new regulations, though some suggest that more nuanced approaches, such as better tools for parental control, may be more effective.
