MONITORING (SW) – Australia’s world-first legislation has passed the parliament with bipartisan support, which means children and teenagers will be banned from using social media.
Anyone under the age of 16 will be blocked from using platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook, a move the government and the Coalition argue is necessary to protect their mental health and wellbeing.
The major parties had moved quickly to pass the legislation before the end of the parliamentary year, despite reservations from some Coalition MPs, the Greens and independents who called for more time and greater scrutiny, reported ABC.
Tech companies also agitated for the debate to be delayed until the government’s age-verification trial is finalised.
Under the laws, which won’t come into force for another 12 months, social media companies could be fined up to $50 million for failing to take “reasonable steps” to keep under 16s off their platforms.
There are no penalties for young people or parents who flout the rules.
Social media companies also won’t be able to force users to provide government identification, including the Digital ID, to assess their age.
“Messaging apps,” “online gaming services” and “services with the primary purpose of supporting the health and education of end-users” will not fall under the ban, as well as sites like YouTube that do not require users to log in to access the platform.
