Australia Introduces Ban on Social Media for Children Under 16

Australia enforces new regulations prohibiting children under 16 from accessing social media platforms without parental consent, aiming to enhance online safety. 

The Australian parliament has passed a bill aimed at preventing children under 16 from using social media. The Senate approved the legislation on Thursday, following its passage in the House of Representatives the previous day.

According to the Australian public broadcaster ABC, the Social Media Minimum Age Bill characterizes an “age-restricted social media platform” as a service whose primary or significant purpose is to facilitate “online social interaction” among users who can “post material.” The legislation does not specify any particular existing services.

Platforms that fail to take “reasonable steps” to prevent access by individuals under 16 could incur fines of up to $50 million (equivalent to $32.5 million USD). The new law will be fully implemented in 12 months.

The government has claimed that the law is essential for enhancing children’s wellbeing. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated, “Social media is harming our children, and now, thanks to legislation passed in parliament… parents can have a different conversation with their youngsters.” He added, “Our message to Australian parents is ‘we’ve got your back.’”

The prime minister brushed off worries about the bill’s implementation. “We’re not claiming it will be flawless, similar to how the alcohol ban for individuals under 18 doesn’t guarantee they never access it. However, we are confident that it’s the right course of action,” he stated.

Google and Meta have requested that Australia postpone the bill until after the age-verification trial concludes. “We are worried about how quickly this legislation is being pushed through without adequately considering existing evidence, industry practices for ensuring age-appropriate experiences, and input from young people,” stated Meta, Facebook and Instagram’s parent company, in a statement on Thursday.

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Meta expressed its expectation for constructive discussions regarding all regulations linked to the bill. They aim to ensure a technically feasible result that won’t impose an excessive burden on parents and teenagers, along with a commitment to consistently apply rules across all social apps used by teens.

Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, issued a statement expressing that “there are many unanswered questions about how this law will be implemented in practice.” The company also pledged to “engage closely” with the Australian government.

Several Australian politicians and activists have condemned the legislation, describing it as poorly constructed and lacking careful consideration. Senator Matt Canavan contended that the law “does not adequately address privacy concerns.”

“The effort to prohibit children from using social media will not succeed and may even hinder effective measures aimed at addressing the negative impacts of these platforms,” Canavan posted on X.

Numerous countries have been seeking methods to ensure children’s safe navigation of online platforms. In March 2024, the US state of Florida implemented a ban on social media use for children under 14 and mandated parental consent for those aged 14 and 15.