Making an Example

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Australia’s government will introduce a “world-leading” social media ban for children under 16, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Thursday, in an effort to combat the platforms’ harmful effects on young people, Sky News reported.

The bill, expected to be introduced in parliament later this month, will require platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X to enforce the age limit.

Companies will be required to create systems preventing under-16 access, with no responsibility placed on parents or children. There are no exemptions for parental consent or existing accounts, but some platforms, such as YouTube, may receive exceptions for educational use.

Once passed, platforms will have a one-year grace period to implement age restrictions, with financial penalties for non-compliance.

Albanese said the proposed law will be introduced in parliament this month.

The proposal would make Australia one of the strictest countries globally in regulating youth access to social media. Albanese cited widespread concerns among Australian parents about children’s safety online, with reports of cyberbullying, body image issues and exposure to unwanted content.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has pledged to respect the proposed age restrictions, though its representatives warned that poorly designed regulations could be ineffective without thorough implementation.

Meanwhile, the Digital Industry Group (DIGI) – which represents tech firms such as Meta, TikTok, and Google – criticized the ban, suggesting it could drive children to unregulated online spaces and limit their access to mental health resources.

The group advocated for “age-appropriate spaces” and improved digital literacy instead of an outright ban.

Australia’s proposed ban follows recent international moves to restrict youth access to social media, Agence France-Presse added.

Spain recently introduced an under-16 social media ban, while the US state of Florida is set to implement a restriction targeting those under 14 in January.

France and China have also passed similar measures, requiring age verification or time restrictions for minors.

The new ban comes as Australian officials have stepped up regulatory actions on tech firms, including a 2023 bill to combat misinformation and a ban on non-consensual “deepfake” content.