The Australian government is moving forward with its plan to curb social media use among children and young teens, following senate approval of what has been described as “world-leading” legislation. Under the new law, children and teenagers under 16 — the highest age limit set by any country — will be banned from using social media platforms including TikTok and Facebook.
The groundbreaking new law, which has gained bipartisan support, sets a global benchmark for online safety, aiming to protect kids from the dangers of social media including mental health risks and exposure to harmful content.
“This is a global issue, and we want young Australians to have a proper childhood,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said while introducing the bill to the lower house last week.
When will the ban start?
The social media ban will be enforced within a year, with full backing from all six states and two territories in Australia. A trial of the methods is set to begin in January.
Which social media platforms will be included in the ban?
The government has said that certain platforms like YouTube Kids, may be exempt, but TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram will be included in the ban. Albanese also added that the law would not include any “grandfathering arrangements”, meaning the ban would apply to all children, with no exceptions for those who already use social media or have parental consent.
How will the ban be enforced?
The proposed legislation places the responsibility for enforcing age limits on social media companies. These companies could be fined as much as $50 million for not taking reasonable steps to ensure users under 16 stay off their platforms although there will be no penalties for young people or parents who ignore the rules.
The ban also marks a significant shift in online policy, and it remains to be seen if other countries will follow suit.