Australia’s parliament has passed a groundbreaking law that prohibits social media use for individuals under 16, prompting technology firms to improve their security before a final deadline is set.
The Senate approved the social media ban late on Thursday, concluding the legislative year with this significant decision. This action followed intense public debate and a rapid legislative process that saw the proposal introduced and passed within just one week.
The legislation mandates that technology companies implement “reasonable steps” to prevent minors from accessing social media services, or they risk facing hefty fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($32 million).
This measure represents the most stringent global response to an issue that has led other nations to impose limits, though none have held companies accountable for violating a nationwide prohibition.
It is anticipated that the ban will include platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, and X, with potential additions to this list.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the parliament, noting that “every serious government” is confronting the challenges posed by social media to youth, with global leaders praising Australia’s proactive approach.
“We know that social media can be a weapon for bullies, a platform for peer pressure, a driver of anxiety, a vehicle for scammers, and worst of all, a tool for online predators,” he told Parliament on Monday.
In defense of the 16-year-old age limit, he asserted that teenagers at this age are better equipped to identify “the fakes and the danger.”
The bill received substantial support from Australia’s primary opposition party, the Liberal Party, with Liberal Senator Maria Kovacic calling it a “defining moment for our nation.”
“We have drawn a line in the sand. The enormous power of big tech can no longer go unchecked in Australia,” she stated on Thursday before the vote.
However, the bill faced robust opposition from some independents and smaller parties, including Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who criticized the major parties for misleading Australian parents.
“This is a disaster unfolding before our eyes,” she declared. “You couldn’t make this stuff up. The prime minister says he’s worried about social media, while the leader of the opposition says, ‘Let’s ban it.’”
“It’s a race to the bottom to try and pretend who can be the toughest, and all they end up with is pushing young people into further isolation and giving the platforms the opportunity to continue the free-for-all, because now there’s no social responsibility required.”
“We need to make social media safer for everybody.”
A Rushed Process
The rapid pace of the legislative process has drawn significant criticism.
Only 24 hours were given for submissions to a Senate committee inquiry into the bill, followed by a three-hour hearing. The inquiry’s findings were released just one day before the bill was voted through the lower house and subsequently the Senate.
Over 100 submissions were made, with nearly all commentators expressing deep concerns over the hurried consideration of such a critical bill.
Nonetheless, the committee endorsed the bill with some amendments, such as banning the use of government documents like passports for verifying users’ ages.
Tech companies have voiced their concerns about the law, highlighting the privacy risks and potential dangers for children who might bypass the prohibition.
Snap Inc. argued that “device-level age verification” was the most effective approach available.
X, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, noted that the platform is not predominantly used by minors but expressed concerns about the impact on their freedom of expression.
Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, has invested in safety tools and strongly urged the government to await the outcomes of upcoming age assurance trials slated for next year.
Meta also criticized the exclusion of YouTube and online gaming from the ban, arguing that they offer “similar benefits and risks” as other platforms subject to the ban.
Despite these objections, public opinion appears to support the legislation.
A YouGov poll conducted recently found that 77% of Australians favor the under-16 social media ban, based on responses from 1,515 participants with a 3.2% margin of error.
Following the law’s enactment, consultations are planned prior to the government setting a final cut-off date. After that, all social media accounts held by minors under the age limit will be deactivated.
While parents and children will not face penalties for defying the ban, companies will need to demonstrate that they have taken reasonable steps to prevent underage users from accessing their services.
