Australia is on the verge of passing one of the world’s strictest social media regulations for children, with the country’s House of Representatives voting overwhelmingly in favor of a bill that would ban children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms. The bill, which passed with 102 votes to 13, now moves to the Senate for further debate, with hopes for final approval by the end of this parliamentary year.
The new law has generated intense debate, with tech giants like Google and Meta (Facebook’s parent company) lobbying the government to delay the legislation, arguing it would be premature before the implementation of an age-verification system. However, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government has secured broad bipartisan support, framing the law as a necessary step to protect the physical and mental health of children in an age of digital overexposure.
Under the proposed law, social media companies will be required to implement robust age-verification systems to ensure children under 16 are not using their platforms. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to A$49.5 million (approximately US$32 million). The government is also considering a trial of an age-verification system that could include biometric identification or government-issued IDs.
In response to concerns over privacy, a Senate committee has added provisions that social media platforms will not be allowed to collect sensitive personal data, such as passports or digital IDs, solely for the purpose of age verification. The committee also emphasized that youth must be meaningfully engaged in the development of the law to ensure it does not undermine their right to digital connection.
The bill’s passage follows a series of high-profile testimonies from parents whose children have been victims of cyberbullying or self-harmed due to social media pressure. Youth advocates, however, have raised concerns that banning children from social media could isolate them from essential social networks, including family and peer connections.
Sixteen-year-old Sydney high-school student Enie Lam shared her concerns, saying, “I understand that using social media a lot is not a good thing and I’m working on it. But a ban is not going to work.” Her sentiments are echoed by many teenagers who argue that the law could cut them off from their most important social interactions.
On the other hand, parents’ advocacy groups, such as the Australian Parents Council, have been vocal in their support of the ban. Jenny Branch-Allen, president of the Council, stated, “Big companies have to start taking responsibility. Let’s try and reduce the incidents we’re hearing about involving social media and young people in Australia.”
While the bill has gained broad bipartisan support in the lower house, it faces resistance in the Senate. The left-leaning Greens and some conservative lawmakers have expressed concerns over civil liberties and privacy implications, with some calling for the law to be delayed until the trial of the age-verification system is completed in 2025.
However, public opinion appears to be strongly in favor of the move. A recent YouGov poll showed 77% of Australians supporting the proposed ban, a significant increase from 61% in August. Major media outlets, including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, have also backed the legislation, with News Corp running an editorial campaign under the banner “Let Them Be Kids.”
As the bill makes its way through the Senate, Australian lawmakers are eager to see it become law before the year’s end. If passed, Australia would be the first country to implement such a sweeping regulation, making it a global model for how to address the challenges of social media and youth well-being.
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