The Australian Parliament has approved a landmark law banning children under 16 from using social media platforms, making the country the first in the world to implement such sweeping restrictions. The controversial legislation, passed with bipartisan support, imposes fines of up to AUD 50 million ($33 million) on platforms that fail to comply. While supporters argue the measure addresses the growing concerns about online harm to children, critics warn it could create new problems and infringe on rights.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese lauded the legislation as a necessary step to protect children. "Platforms now have a social responsibility to ensure the safety of our kids is a priority for them," Albanese said. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat now have one year to devise mechanisms for enforcing the ban before penalties take effect.
The law, which also prohibits platforms from requiring government-issued ID for verification, passed the Senate 34-19 after being overwhelmingly approved by the House of Representatives earlier in the week. While its passage marked a significant policy shift, it has drawn criticism for being rushed and potentially ineffective.
Social media companies expressed skepticism over the law's practicality. Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook and Instagram, voiced concerns about the speed of the legislative process. "We are concerned about the process which rushed the legislation through while failing to properly consider the evidence, what industry already does to ensure age-appropriate experiences, and the voices of young people," the company said in a statement.
Snapchat echoed similar apprehensions, saying, "While there are many unanswered questions about how this law will be implemented in practice, we will engage closely with the Government and the eSafety Commissioner during the 12-month implementation period."
Critics also highlighted potential unintended consequences, including isolating vulnerable children who rely on social media for support. Senator David Shoebridge of the Greens party stated, "This policy will hurt vulnerable young people the most, especially in regional communities and especially the LGBTQI community, by cutting them off."
Mental health advocates questioned the lack of evidence supporting the law. Christopher Stone, executive director of Suicide Prevention Australia, called the government's actions hasty and ill-considered. "Young Australians deserve evidence-based policies, not decisions made in haste," he said.
The legislation does allow exemptions for platforms providing educational or health-related services, such as Google Classroom and Kids Helpline. However, privacy concerns remain prominent as platforms must identify and remove underage users without violating broader user privacy.
Online safety advocate Sonya Ryan, whose 15-year-old daughter Carly was murdered by an online predator, welcomed the law as a crucial step toward protecting children. "It's too late for my daughter, Carly, but let us stand together on their behalf and embrace this together," she said.
Globally, Australia's move is being closely watched. The UK's Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, said he would monitor the law's implementation, adding that while he is open-minded, decisions must be backed by solid evidence. French and Swiss officials have also expressed interest in similar measures.
Some industry experts argue that the government rushed the legislation for political gain ahead of an election due by May. Critics claim it may undermine parental authority, push children toward less regulated parts of the internet, and reduce incentives for platforms to enhance safety features.
Despite these concerns, opposition Senator Maria Kovacic defended the law as overdue. "The core focus of this legislation is simple: It demands that social media companies take reasonable steps to identify and remove underage users from their platforms," she said. "This is a responsibility these companies should have been fulfilling long ago."
This article includes reporting from AP news and The Gaurdian.
