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An under 16s ban on social media is coming to Australia
- The Australian government is planning to introduce legislation that would ban children under 16 from using certain social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok.
- The platforms on the banned list have yet to be defined, with Snapchat also a possible target. Social media companies will have a year to implement the bans once legislation is passed or face hefty fines, with the eSafety Commissioner overseeing enforcement.
- Existing under-16 users will not be exempt from the ban, which is intended to support parents and to counter the impact of allegedly harmful algorithm-generated content on young people.
- The government is planning to introduce penalties for companies that allow under-16s to use their social media platforms. In May, prime minister Anthony Albanese announced a trial of age assurance technology, which will now not begin until 2025.
- Political and industry reactions to the plan have been mixed, with concerns raised that it may foster more secrecy around children’s internet use and potentially push them towards unregulated platforms.
- Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), and Snap, owners of Snapchat, have criticised the moves.
- The social media platforms that may be effected will go to state and territory leaders at a specially convened national cabinet meeting.
- The government’s proposals will also increase penalties for violations, with fines of up to AUD1m ($734,000). The country’s eSafety Commissioner will receive additional powers to enforce the law.
- Opponents to the ban have argued that it could push young people onto unregulated parts of the internet.
- The legislation is expected to be introduced before Christmas with the details of the list of banned platforms still uncertain.
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