Australia Poised to Ban Social Media for Under-16s

Australia’s lower house of parliament has overwhelmingly approved a landmark bill banning children under 16 from using social media platforms, Al Jazeera reports.

The bill, which passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 103 to 13, now heads to the Senate where it’s expected to pass with bipartisan support.

The legislation targets major platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), imposing hefty fines of up to AU$50 million (US$32 million) for non-compliance. Social media companies will have a one-year grace period to implement the ban.

While the government claims the ban is necessary to protect children from the harmful effects of social media, the rapid passage of the bill has drawn criticism. Tech companies had urged a delay until at least June 2024, pending the release of a study on age-verification technology.

Opposition lawmaker Dan Tehan noted that the government accepted Senate amendments strengthening privacy protections, including a ban on platforms demanding government-issued ID. However, concerns remain about the bill’s broader implications.

Amnesty International and Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner, Lorraine Finlay, have voiced opposition, arguing the ban could deprive vulnerable children of essential social support networks. Australia’s Privacy Commissioner, Carly Kind, also publicly questioned the bill’s rationale.

Some opposition lawmakers echoed these concerns, stating the legislation fails to address the root causes of social media’s negative impacts while simultaneously restricting Australians’ rights.