In a groundbreaking move, Australia’s parliament has passed a world-first law prohibiting social media use for children under 16. The legislation, which was drafted in response to concerns over the impact of social media on young people’s mental health, was approved by the Senate with 34 votes to 19.
According to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the law aims to protect children from the potential harms of social media, stating, “We want our kids to have a childhood and parents to know we have their backs.” The law prohibits platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, X, and Reddit from allowing users under 16, with companies facing fines of up to AU$50 million (US$32 million) for non-compliance.
However, the law has also drawn criticism from various groups, including academics, advocacy groups, and tech experts. Concerns have been raised that the legislation could drive teenagers to unsafe online spaces or lead to increased isolation. Additionally, questions have been raised about the effectiveness of the law and the potential risks associated with age verification .
The law will take effect in 12 months, allowing time for the government to trial age-verification technologies. YouTube has been excluded from the ban due to its educational content.
