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Australia Implements Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

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Australia has passed the world’s most stringent laws to bar children under 16 from using social media, following parliamentary approval.

The ban, set to take effect in at least 12 months, imposes fines of up to Ksh 50 billion ($32.5 million; £25.7 million) on non-compliant tech companies.

According to reports by BBC, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the law’s intent to shield young people from social media “harms,” a concern echoed by many parent groups.

This initiative establishes the highest minimum social media age limit globally, surpassing prior efforts, as it offers no exemptions for existing users or parental consent.

The bill cleared the Senate with a vote of 34 to 19 on Thursday last week and passed the House of Representatives on Friday.

“We want our kids to have a childhood and parents to know we have their backs,” Albanese stated after the vote.

Implementation and Platform Scope

The law does not specify which platforms are covered, leaving the decision to Australia’s communications minister, advised by the eSafety Commissioner.

Minister Michelle Rowland indicated the ban would include Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Exemptions apply to gaming and messaging platforms, as well as sites accessible without an account, such as YouTube.

“To enforce the ban, the government plans to rely on age-verification technology, with trials to commence in the coming months. Social media platforms will be tasked with implementing these systems. However, digital researchers have questioned the reliability and privacy implications of using biometrics or identity data for enforcement,”

Global Implications and Precedents

Prime Minister Albanese acknowledged the challenges of enforcement but defended the legislation as a necessary step. “Its implementation won’t be perfect, just like the alcohol ban for [children] under 18 doesn’t mean that someone under 18 never has access – but we know that it’s the right thing to do,” he stated.

Similar efforts elsewhere have faced hurdles. France introduced a law last year requiring parental consent for users under 15, though nearly half reportedly bypassed it with VPNs. In the U.S., a Utah law with comparable restrictions was overturned by a federal judge as unconstitutional.

Australia’s approach has drawn international attention, with Norway signaling plans to follow suit.

The UK’s technology secretary also suggested a similar ban might be considered in the future, though not immediately.

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