Australia is taking significant steps to ban social media access for children under 16, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government pushing a bill that aims to protect the physical and mental well-being of young users. On 27 November 2023, the House of Representatives passed the legislation by a substantial margin, with 102 votes in favour and only 13 against.
Strong Support and Bipartisan Backing
The bill received strong bipartisan support, signalling a collective recognition of the potential dangers posed by unregulated social media use among minors. Media outlets, including News Corp, echo concerns raised by Albanese regarding excessive usage contributing to mental health issues.
Age Verification Measures
- Social media platforms will be required to implement robust age-verification systems.
- Potential measures could include biometrics or government-issued identification.
- Strict privacy regulations dictate that personal data used for age verification must be destroyed after use.
The Senate is expected to debate the bill soon, aiming for a swift passage before the parliamentary year ends. Should the law come into effect, companies could face fines of up to A$49.5 million (US$32 million) for failure to comply.
Public and Industry Reaction
Despite 77% of Australians supporting the ban, according to a recent YouGov survey, there are concerns regarding children’s rights to self-expression. Youth advocates have urged the government to involve young voices in the conversation about the implications of such restrictions.
Major tech companies, including Meta and Bytedance, expressed apprehensions about the speed of the legislation. Critics, including Elon Musk, argue that the law could infringe on internet access rights.
Looking Ahead
A Senate committee has suggested that platforms should offer alternative methods for age verification, instead of insisting on submitting personal identification like passports. Some lawmakers have raised eyebrows at the hastiness of the bill’s processing, with initial discussions commencing only the week prior.
As this landmark legislation continues to unfold, all eyes will be on its potential ramifications for social media use and child protection in Australia, setting a precedent for other nations to follow.