DW News published Nov 28, 2024:
Australian lawmakers have approved a world-first law banning under-16 year-olds from using social media.
Once introduced, the new legislation could see tech companies like TikTok, Facebook and Instagram fined up to 50 million Australian dollars --- that's almost 31 million Euros -- if they fail to comply. They've been given one year to work out how to implement the ban.
The approval from Australia's Senate today followed a fierce debate in the country, with critics claiming the new law has been rushed out and could push children towards the dark web. Take a listen.
7NEWS Australia published November 28, 2024: Australia passes laws to ban under-16s from social media. Tech companies say they’re still in the dark about how they’ll enforce Australia’s social media ban for under-16s after the laws passed federal parliament on Thursday night.
Sky News, Australia local
written by David Wu, Digital Reporter
Friday November 29, 2024
Millions of Australian children under the age of 16 will be banned from using social media after historic laws were passed on the last day of parliament for 2024.
The Senate passed 31 bills overnight, including the restrictions on social media for teens, in a frantic and marathon last day for politicians before they head off on holidays.
The world-first legislation will mean kids under the age of 16 are set to be blocked from accessing popular platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat.
It was passed with bipartisan support.
The proposed social media ban was raised by the Albanese government over safety fears for children and after kids took their lives from mental impacts of bullying and extortion, and after News Corp's campaign "Let Them Be Kids" launched in May.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the result as "world-leading" and declared social media giants can now be held accountable if they failed to protect youths.
“Social media is doing social harm to our children, and I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs,” he said to News Corp on Friday.
“Platforms now have a social responsibility to ensure the safety of our kids is a priority.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said families have been left shocked at what kids have access to on social media, adding the legislation will help kids stay safe.
“These laws are an important step to make social media companies put the best interests of our kids ahead of their own profits,” he said.
The ban will not come into effect until the end of next year.
Social media companies can be fined up to $50 million for failing to take "reasonable steps" to keep children under the age of 16 from accessing their platforms.
Kids will not be fined if they try to access it.
Digital identification, such as passports and licences, will not need to be provided.
Social media giants had urged the government to delay the bill until next year as the $6.5 million age-verification trial to determine its effectiveness was still ongoing.
Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, said it respected the laws by the Australian government but it is concerned the legislation was not examined enough.
"However, we are concerned about the process which rushed the legislation through while failing to properly consider the evidence, what industry already does to ensure age-appropriate experiences, and the voices of young people," a spokesperson said.
"Last week, the Parliament’s own committee said the "causal link with social media appears unclear,” with respect to the mental health of young Australians, whereas this week the rushed Senate Committee report pronounced that social media caused harm.
"This demonstrates the lack of evidence underpinning the legislation and suggests this was a predetermined process.
"The task now turns to ensuring there is productive consultation on all rules associated with the Bill to ensure a technically feasible outcome that does not place an onerous burden on parents and teens and a commitment that rules will be consistently applied across all social apps used by teens."
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