Australia has enacted a stringent law restricting social media access for individuals under 16, requiring platforms like X, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to prevent account creation for this age group. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese supports the law, urging youth to engage in outdoor activities instead of using social media. While the legislation faces criticism from some platforms and young users expressing their determination to bypass the ban, its enforcement details remain unclear, with tech companies given a year to comply.
Australia Enacts Groundbreaking Social Media Law for Minors
The Australian Parliament has taken a bold step by instituting a law that restricts access to social media platforms for individuals under the age of 16. This legislation is among the most stringent globally concerning well-known platforms such as X, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. With unanimous backing from both chambers of Parliament and major political parties, this law mandates these social media companies to implement “appropriate measures” to prevent teenagers from creating accounts. Failure to comply could result in hefty fines reaching up to 50 million Australian dollars (approximately 28.6 million Swiss francs).
Prime Minister Advocates for Outdoor Activities
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is gearing up for elections early next year, has passionately supported this new regulation, which has resonated with many parents. He encourages young Australians to engage in outdoor sports rather than remain glued to their screens. Before the vote, Albanese highlighted the negative impacts of social media, describing them as “platforms that promote social pressure, sources of fear, channels for fraudsters, and, worst of all, tools for online predators.” His message is clear: he wants children to prioritize physical activities such as football, cricket, tennis, volleyball, and swimming over social media usage.
However, the decision has faced backlash from various platforms that labeled it as “hasty” and voiced concerns over potential “unintended consequences.” Young Australians are already vowing to find ways around the ban. Twelve-year-old Angus Lydom told AFP, “I will find a way, and my friends will do the same. It would be weird if I didn’t have them and couldn’t talk to my friends when I’m at home.” Similarly, 11-year-old Elsie Arkinstall believes social media serves as a valuable resource for children interested in baking or art tutorials, asserting, “You can’t learn everything from books.”
While the ban appears to be one of the toughest in existence, the specifics of its enforcement remain ambiguous. The legislation lacks clarity on how it will be implemented, prompting skepticism among experts regarding its technical viability and its potential symbolic implications. Furthermore, tech companies will be granted at least a year to align with the new regulations as Australian authorities work on the finer details of the law’s execution. Notably, platforms such as WhatsApp and YouTube, which may be essential for educational purposes, are expected to be exempt from this regulation.
In light of these developments, experts like Susan Grantham suggest that Australia should adopt educational programs based on Finland’s model to teach children to critically evaluate what they encounter online.