The Australian government unveiled groundbreaking legislation today (November 22nd, 2024) that establishes a minimum age of 16 for social media use.
The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 aims to strengthen protections for young Australians during their formative years.
Social media platforms will be required to implement “reasonable steps” to prevent users under 16 from creating accounts.
This responsibility falls squarely on the platforms themselves, not on parents or young people.
The bill, along with its accompanying regulations, ensures continued access for young Australians to messaging, online gaming, educational and health services like Headspace, Kids Helpline, Google Classroom, and YouTube.
Increased Penalties for Online Safety Violations
The government is also introducing stricter penalties for online safety breaches. Digital platforms could face fines of up to $49.5 million for repeated violations.
The Bill defines a new category of “age-restricted social media platforms,” encompassing platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, and X.
Additionally, it incorporates robust privacy measures, demanding platforms to isolate and delete any data collected to safeguard the personal information of all Australians.
This legislation is designed to adapt to evolving technologies and online services.
Extensive Consultation Leads to Landmark Reform
The bill incorporates extensive feedback received from young Australians, parents, experts, industry players, community organizations, and state and territory governments.
It represents an extension of the Australian government’s broader efforts to hold platforms accountable for user safety.
Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese stated: “We acknowledge the detrimental effects of social media. We want Australian children to experience a proper childhood, and parents to know the government supports them. This is a groundbreaking reform. We recognize some young people will find ways around it, but it sends a clear message to social media companies: clean up your act.”
On their part, Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland noted: “The Albanese Government remains committed to protecting children online. This legislation will significantly contribute to online safety and establish a new community standard regarding the appropriate age for social media use. Platforms have a responsibility to offer safe products and prioritize the mental well-being of young Australians. We need to create a strong incentive for compliance, and raising the maximum penalty for online safety breaches to $49.5 million aligns our penalty structure with other laws. Ensuring children’s safety everywhere is a collective effort, and the Albanese Government is actively playing its part. I express my gratitude to our state and territory colleagues, and everyone who contributed to bringing this significant Bill to fruition.”
