Australia has passed a law – the world’s first – banning children and teenagers under the age of 16 from using social media and the new policy will see anyone under that age blocked from using platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, among others, from the end of next year, according to various Australian media reports.
The “Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill” was approved on Thursday, forcing tech giants to stop minors logging in their platforms or face fines of up to A$49.5 million, with a trial method to enforce it scheduled to start in January 2025, according to a report by Reuters.
A media release issued by the Office of the Prime Minister of Australia calls the new law “a landmark measure that will deliver greater protections for young Australians during critical stages of their development”.
“We’ve passed important legislation to keep our kids safe online. Social media is doing social harm to our kids. We’ve called time on it,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pointed out in the media release. “We want our kids to have a childhood and parents to know we have their backs.”
The country’s minister for communications, Michelle Rowland, said: “We’ve listened to young people, parents and carers, experts and industry in developing these landmark laws to ensure they are centred on protecting young people – not isolating them.”
She added, “Good government is about facing up to difficult reform – we know these laws are novel, but to do nothing is simply not an option.
“Over the next 12 months, we’ll work closely with industry and experts to ensure the minimum age is effectively implemented, informed by the findings of the Age Assurance Technology Trial currently underway.” (Gilbert Humphrey)
Photo: Rami Al-zayat
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