Australia’s communications minister introduced a groundbreaking law into Parliament on Thursday that would prohibit children under the age of 16 from accessing social media, citing online safety as a major concern for parents.
Michelle Rowland highlighted that popular platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, and Instagram could be fined up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for failing to prevent young children from creating accounts.
Rowland emphasized the importance of setting a new societal standard that social media usage is not a necessary part of growing up in Australia.
The bill, which has broad political support, would require platforms to implement the age restriction within one year of it becoming law.
Rowland pointed out that online safety is a significant challenge for caregivers, with harmful content being easily accessible to young Australians.
The proposed law aims to protect young people from harmful online content while supporting their overall health and well-being, according to Rowland.
While concerns have been raised about the potential impact of the ban on existing online social networks of 14- and 15-year-olds, Rowland clarified that messaging services, online games, and platforms promoting user health and education would not be subject to age restrictions.
A consortium led by a British company has been tasked with exploring technologies to verify ages and prevent underage access to social media and online pornography.
In addition to age restrictions, the government is also focusing on preventing children under 18 from accessing online pornography.
The proposed law also includes measures to prevent platforms from misusing personal information obtained for age verification purposes, with potential fines for violations.
Digital Industry Group Inc. criticized the age limit as a outdated response to modern challenges, highlighting the need for innovative solutions.
Published – November 21, 2024 10:12 am IST
