Australia is set to ban social media services for under-16s following Senate passage a bill 19 to 34 votes. The legislation will go back to the House of Representatives, which will have to approve the changes before they can become law. This is nothing more than a formality as the government has a majority in that chamber. bill, passed the lower house earlier this week by a vote of 102-13.
The government said users like Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram and X will be subject to the new rules, which won’t take effect for at least 12 months. However, officials have yet to confirm which platforms the ban covers, as they are not detailed in the bill. The notes that the country’s communications commissioner, Michelle Rowland, will determine this with the help of a person called the e-Security Commissioner. The latter will be responsible for the implementation of the law.
The rules will not apply to health and education services, gaming platforms or messaging apps, and those that do not require an account. So those who like it Fortnite, Roblox and YouTube will likely avoid any ban.
Companies subject to the legislation can be fined up to AUD 49.5 million ($32.1 million) if they fail to comply. They will have to use age verification technology, although the specifications are yet to be determined. The government plans to evaluate different options in the coming months, but Rowland confirmed this week that the platforms will not be able to force users to provide personal identification (such as a passport or driver’s license) to verify their age.
Researchers have argued that age verification systems are controversial . Meanwhile, critics have raised privacy concerns.
While there are undoubtedly valid concerns about the harms of social media, such platforms can be a lifeline for young people when used responsibly. They can help vulnerable children find resources and peers they can turn to for advice. Social media can also help those living in rural areas to build genuine social connections with those living elsewhere.
Under-16s who continue to access prohibited platforms will not be penalized. Savvy teenagers can find it very easy to bypass restrictions using a VPN, which can make the law largely toothless. The online world also goes far beyond the capabilities of a small number of centralized social media platforms. There are other pockets of the internet that teenagers can turn to instead. For example, there are still for various interests.
When the legislation becomes law, Australia will set the highest minimum age for social media of any jurisdiction. France is debating a bill to block users under the age of 15 from social media without parental consent. For the European Union to promote a similar commitment across the bloc. Norway plans to introduce legislation in this direction, while the UK’s technology secretary recently indicated that this is an option for the country.
Utah last year restrict the use of social media by minors. Governor of the state after legal troubles earlier this year. But a judge in September blocked just days before the latest law goes into effect. Other states have considered similar laws.
