Australia to Impose Penalties on Tech Companies for Social Media Prohibition Involving Minors
Under new world-first laws, social media companies that do not stop Australians under the age of 16 from accessing their platforms will incur fines amounting to tens of millions of dollars.
TroibNews 
Australia has introduced groundbreaking legislation targeting social media companies that do not prevent users under the age of 16 from accessing their platforms. Those companies may incur fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars for non-compliance.
On Thursday, the governing Labor Party presented a bill in parliament that establishes a minimum age requirement of 16 for social media use. The responsibility to uphold this age limit will lie with social media companies, rather than children or their parents or guardians.
Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland articulated the purpose of the legislation, stating, "This is about protecting young people, not punishing or isolating them, and letting parents know we're in their corner when it comes to supporting their children's health and wellbeing." She further emphasized the bill's aim to establish a societal norm, asserting, "this bill seeks to set a new normative value in society, that accessing social media is not the defining feature of growing up in Australia."
Rowland noted that online gaming would be excluded from this age restriction because it is covered by existing age classification regulations, which helps avoid redundancy. Additionally, messaging services will not fall under the new rules; Rowland explained that users of messaging apps do not encounter algorithmically curated content or psychological tactics that encourage prolonged engagement. She elaborated, "Further, the inclusion of messaging apps could have wider consequences, such as making communication within families harder."
The federal opposition has expressed support for the proposed legislation, indicating it is likely to pass through both houses of parliament with a significant majority.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has previously mentioned that the new laws are expected to be implemented at least 12 months following their passage through parliament. While the government has not detailed the method for verifying the ages of social media users, it has indicated that a trial of age verification technology, funded by May's federal budget, will inform this aspect. The enforcement of the minimum age limit will be overseen by the office of the government's eSafety Commissioner.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
On Thursday, the governing Labor Party presented a bill in parliament that establishes a minimum age requirement of 16 for social media use. The responsibility to uphold this age limit will lie with social media companies, rather than children or their parents or guardians.
Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland articulated the purpose of the legislation, stating, "This is about protecting young people, not punishing or isolating them, and letting parents know we're in their corner when it comes to supporting their children's health and wellbeing." She further emphasized the bill's aim to establish a societal norm, asserting, "this bill seeks to set a new normative value in society, that accessing social media is not the defining feature of growing up in Australia."
Rowland noted that online gaming would be excluded from this age restriction because it is covered by existing age classification regulations, which helps avoid redundancy. Additionally, messaging services will not fall under the new rules; Rowland explained that users of messaging apps do not encounter algorithmically curated content or psychological tactics that encourage prolonged engagement. She elaborated, "Further, the inclusion of messaging apps could have wider consequences, such as making communication within families harder."
The federal opposition has expressed support for the proposed legislation, indicating it is likely to pass through both houses of parliament with a significant majority.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has previously mentioned that the new laws are expected to be implemented at least 12 months following their passage through parliament. While the government has not detailed the method for verifying the ages of social media users, it has indicated that a trial of age verification technology, funded by May's federal budget, will inform this aspect. The enforcement of the minimum age limit will be overseen by the office of the government's eSafety Commissioner.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
