Use of Social Media by Under-16s Banned in Australia, Reactions

The Australian Parliament has banned the use of social media for children under 16 years old. This law, finalized on Thursday, December 8, is the first of its kind to be implemented globally. According to the Australian Parliament's resolution, platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X, and Instagram will be required to pay fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (equivalent to 33 million US dollars) if they fail systematically to prevent accounts for children under 16. The House of Representatives approved this bill on Wednesday with 102 votes in favor and 13 against, and the Senate confirmed it on Thursday with 34 votes in favor and 19 against. Subsequently, the House of Representatives on Friday approved the Senate's amendments and turned the bill into law. The Prime Minister of Australia believes this law supports parents who are concerned about online harms to their children. Anthony Albanese stated, "Platforms now have a social responsibility to ensure that the safety of our children is a priority." Concurrently, the UNICEF Children’s Fund in Australia warned that this law is not a final solution to online harms and may push children into "hidden and illegal" online spaces. Katie Meskill, head of policy at UNICEF Australia, reacted to the law's passage by saying that young people need online protection but should also be able to participate in the digital world. In response to criticisms, the Australian Prime Minister acknowledged that the implementation of this law may not be perfect, similar to existing age restrictions for alcohol, but asserted that it is the "right" thing to do. According to Albanese, this plan will lead to "better outcomes and reduced harms for young Australians." The Prime Minister believes that online platforms have a "social responsibility" to prioritize child safety. He also assured Australian parents, "We have your back." Despite the general agreement among Australian political parties on this law, social media giants protested the ban on children's use of social media, describing the law as hasty and containing "unanswered questions." TikTok accused the government of ignoring the views of mental health, online security, and youth experts who opposed the ban, stating that it is "disappointed" with the law. Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, called for consultation on the laws to achieve a "technically acceptable outcome." The company expressed concern over what it called the "hasty process of passing this law." A spokesperson for Snapchat also stated that the company has raised "serious concerns" about the law and that many "unanswered questions" remain regarding its implementation. Meta and Google had requested that the review of the social media ban for children be delayed. Although this law will be implemented for the first time globally, the European Commission had previously launched investigations into Facebook and Instagram for suspected inadequate protection of children’s online activities.