Australia’s parliament passed a world-first law on Thursday that bans social media for children under 16, signaling tech companies to enhance security ahead of an unspecified implementation date.
This legislation follows the introduction of a groundbreaking law in parliament, crafted in response to the rise of social media and its impact on young Australians’ mental health.
Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the need for action, citing a “clear, causal link between the rise of social media and the harm [to] the mental health of young Australians.”
“We want our kids to have a childhood and parents to know we have their backs,” Albanese remarked after the law passed.
The law, approved by the Senate with a 34 to 19 vote, restricts platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, X, and Reddit from permitting users under 16. Violating companies could face fines of up to AU$50 million (US$32 million). YouTube is exempt from the ban due to its educational content.
While the law has been praised by some as a bold step to protect children, it has faced backlash from academics, advocacy groups, and tech experts.
Critics argue that the law may push teenagers to unsafe spaces such as the dark web or increase their sense of isolation. There are also concerns about the law’s enforcement, with warnings that rapid implementation could pose privacy risks if companies need extensive personal data for age verification.
Amnesty International has called for a reconsideration of the bill, arguing that “a ban that isolates young people will not meet the government’s objective of improving young people’s lives.”
The proposal generated over 15,000 public submissions in one day, with many opposing the measure after tech billionaire Elon Musk highlighted the issue on X.
The law will be enforced in 12 months, allowing the government time to trial age-verification technologies.
