In a historic move, Australia has enacted a law prohibiting children under the age of 16 from creating accounts on social media platforms. The bill has received bipartisan support, with the government promoting it as a “world leading” effort to ensure the safety of young people in the digital environment. On Thursday, the Senate approved the legislation after its passage through the lower house earlier that week.
Australia Enacts Landmark Law to Block Minors from Social Media Accounts
Australia Enacts Landmark Law to Block Minors from Social Media Accounts
Legislation aims to safeguard children under 16 from online dangers while critics raise questions on enforcement and privacy.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland emphasized that the law's intent is to shield children rather than penalize them, highlighting the potential risks they face from exposure to harmful content related to substance abuse, eating disorders, and violence online.
While Australian public opinion largely supports the initiative, it has also encountered resistance from a coalition of tech companies, human rights advocates, and social media experts. These critics argue that the legislation is fraught with significant concerns over its implementation, safeguarding users' privacy, and whether it will effectively protect children.
The new law mandates that social media platforms must take "reasonable steps" to verify the ages of their users, ensuring that minors under 16 cannot create accounts. As implementation begins, the focus will now shift to how these regulations will be enforced and the impact they may have on privacy and freedom of expression in Australia’s increasingly digital landscape.
While Australian public opinion largely supports the initiative, it has also encountered resistance from a coalition of tech companies, human rights advocates, and social media experts. These critics argue that the legislation is fraught with significant concerns over its implementation, safeguarding users' privacy, and whether it will effectively protect children.
The new law mandates that social media platforms must take "reasonable steps" to verify the ages of their users, ensuring that minors under 16 cannot create accounts. As implementation begins, the focus will now shift to how these regulations will be enforced and the impact they may have on privacy and freedom of expression in Australia’s increasingly digital landscape.
