A significant legislative move has been made by a country, prohibiting children under 16 from engaging with social media.
On November 28, lawmakers gave the nod to a pioneering ban that will prevent children under 16 from using social media applications like Twitter and Instagram.
This new rule will restrict access to platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit for those under 16, with an exception for YouTube usage.
Enforcement of these regulations and the verification of users’ ages will fall on the social media platforms. Non-compliance could result in fines reaching up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million).
The bill saw strong support from legislators, with the Senate passing it 34-19, and the House of Representatives endorsing it 102-13.
In Australia, social media companies have been granted a one-year window to devise methods for implementing this ban.
The intent behind the ban is to mitigate the potentially harmful effects of social media on the mental and physical well-being of children.
Maria Kovacic addressed the Senate, as reported by AP News: “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.
“This is a responsibility these companies should have been fulfilling long ago, but for too long they have shirked these responsibilities in favor of profit.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented: “Platforms now have a social responsibility to ensure the safety of our kids is a priority for them.”
Yet, the ban has attracted criticism, even from advocates of mental health.
Christopher Stone, executive director of Suicide Prevention Australia, remarked: “Social media provides vital connections for many young Australians, allowing them to access mental health resources, peer support networks, and a sense of community. Cutting off this access risks exacerbating feelings of loneliness and isolation.”
Opponents of the ban argue it could lead to a generation less adept with technology and express concerns about how age verification will be conducted, with some viewing biometrics or government ID as invasions of privacy.
Elon Musk, unsurprisingly, criticized the ban in a Twitter post, saying: “Seems like a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians.”
Meta Platforms commented: “Naturally, we respect the laws decided by the Australian Parliament. However, 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.”
Sunita Bose, managing director of Digital Industry Group Inc., stated: “The social media ban legislation has been released and passed within a week and, as a result, no one can confidently explain how it will work in practice – the community and platforms are in the dark about what exactly is required of them.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, assistance is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to contact a 24-hour crisis center, or webchat at 988lifeline.org. The Crisis Text Line can also be reached by texting MHA to 741741.