Australia Proposes Ban on Kids Under 16 from Using Social Media: Will It Be Effective?

Australia has introduced a groundbreaking proposal aimed at protecting children from the risks of social media. On Thursday, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland presented a new bill to Parliament, which, if passed, would ban children under the age of 16 from using platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X, and Instagram.

Rowland emphasized that online safety is a significant concern for parents, especially as social media platforms often fail to prevent young children from accessing their services. The new law proposes hefty fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for tech companies that fail to ensure children are not able to create accounts.

Details of the Proposed Law

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the law is part of a wider effort to protect children from the “harms” posed by social media. "This is a global issue, and we want young Australians to have a proper childhood, and for parents to feel secure," he said.

The bill outlines a "framework" for the ban but provides few specifics. It is expected that the eSafety Commissioner, the country's internet regulator, will be responsible for working out how the rules will be applied and enforced. The ban, however, will not take effect for at least a year after the law is passed.

The proposed law would apply to all children under 16, with no exemptions for children with parental consent or those who already have accounts. Social media platforms that do not comply with the law could face fines of up to A$50 million ($32.5 million; £25.7 million). However, platforms that create “low-risk services” considered suitable for children might be exempt. The criteria for such services have yet to be defined.

Exemptions and Concerns

Interestingly, messaging services and gaming sites are not part of the ban. Additionally, some websites like YouTube, which do not require accounts to be accessed, would not be restricted either. This has raised questions about how regulators will determine what qualifies as a social media platform, especially with the rapid evolution of online services.

The proposal has faced pushback from tech industry groups. The Digital Industry Group Inc., which represents companies like Meta, Snapchat, and X, has called the bill a "20th-century response to 21st-century challenges." The group expressed concerns that such legislation could drive children to “dangerous, unregulated parts of the internet,” a sentiment echoed by several experts.

Will the Ban Work?

While the intentions behind the proposed ban are clear, there is uncertainty about its effectiveness. As social media platforms continue to evolve, experts and industry representatives worry that the law may not address the deeper issues surrounding children’s online safety.

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Australia Bans Social Medias Like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook etc Use for Kids Under-16