Sydney: Australia has enacted a groundbreaking law prohibiting children under the age of 16 from accessing social media, setting a new global benchmark for regulating Big Tech. The legislation, passed on Thursday after intense national debate, imposes severe penalties on tech giants, including Meta, TikTok, and others, with fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million) for non-compliance.
The Social Media Minimum Age Bill will commence a trial phase for enforcement methods in January, with the full ban coming into effect in a year. This move positions Australia as a leader among governments addressing the growing concerns about the mental health impact of social media on young users.
Global Implications and Local Context
While several countries, such as France and parts of the United States, have introduced laws requiring parental consent for minors to access social media, Australia’s approach is notably stricter. Unlike these measures, the Australian law enforces a complete ban, potentially influencing future legislation worldwide. However, similar efforts elsewhere, such as Florida’s ban for under-14s, have faced legal challenges on free speech grounds.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who faces re-election in 2025 amid declining approval ratings, championed the legislation. Despite opposition from privacy advocates and some child rights groups, recent polls indicate that 77% of Australians support the ban.
The legislation gained momentum during a year-long parliamentary inquiry that featured testimonies from parents whose children had experienced severe social media bullying, some of which led to tragic outcomes. Prominent media outlets, including Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, supported the ban through campaigns like “Let Them Be Kids.”
Industry Pushback and Privacy Concerns
Tech giants have expressed reservations about the law. A Meta spokesperson stated that while the company respects Australian legislation, the process was rushed and lacked adequate consultation. They emphasized the need for productive discussions to ensure the rules are feasible and consistently applied across platforms. Representatives from TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) were unavailable for comment.
Critics argue that the legislation could unintentionally harm vulnerable groups, such as LGBTQIA and migrant teenagers, by cutting off vital online support networks. Privacy advocates have raised concerns that enforcing the ban might lead to increased data collection, paving the way for state surveillance. To address these fears, the bill includes a provision requiring platforms to offer alternatives to uploading personal identification documents.
Sunita Bose, managing director of the Digital Industry Group, criticized the government’s approach, stating, “We have the bill, but we don’t have guidance on the appropriate methods for compliance.”
Divisive Public Reaction
The ban has polarized Australians. Some youth advocacy groups warn it could push young users toward unregulated parts of the internet, exacerbating risks rather than mitigating them. “It will only create a generation of young people more skilled at bypassing restrictions,” said 16-year-old Sydney student Enie Lam.
Others, including anti-bullying advocates, view the ban as a necessary step. Ali Halkic, whose son took his life after online bullying in 2009, said, “Putting an age limit and giving control back to parents is a starting point.”
Also Read | France, Germany, and Sweden Push for EU Battery Independence to Reduce China Reliance
However, some lawmakers voiced strong opposition. Senator Sarah Hanson-Young of the Greens dismissed the bill as an out-of-touch attempt by older generations to control the internet.
Broader Implications for Big Tech and US Relations
The ban is the latest move in Australia’s ongoing scrutiny of tech giants, following measures requiring platforms to pay media outlets for shared content and penalties for failing to curb online scams. Elon Musk, owner of X and a key figure in the administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, criticized the law, suggesting it could lead to broader internet restrictions.
Australia’s tough stance on Big Tech continues to strain relations with U.S.-based companies, although the government insists the measures are necessary to protect younger generations from the harmful effects of social media.
