Australia is slated to introduce a new law that bans children under the age of 16 from creating accounts on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The move follows efforts to safeguard the children from the impact of social media.
The bill is set to come into effect next year, and thereafter, platforms will be mandated to prove that they are taking "reasonable steps" to ensure that underage users are banned. Should they fail to do so, they will face fines of up to AUD 49.5 million (USD 32 million). Notably, YouTube is the only platform exempted from this legislation, given its role in education.
The news has since broken out on X, drawing varied reactions from the masses online. Here's what one user pointed out:
"That’s going to be a challenge because they lie but I truly applaud the effort. If you work with youth at all…you know social media has been a net evil."
Many more chimed in:
"Huge W, get these children off social media," someone cheered on.
"children should be playing outside not on social media," another noted.
"W. keep children off the internet," yet another echoed.
"good that’s how it should be everywhere," a fourth person concurred.
The opinions didn't end there:
"It's so good that the children won't understand how good it will be for them. They'll be thankful later in life when they'll have lesser anxiety and insecurity issues, if not none at least. (I hope they'll be alright)," someone tweeted.
"to be fair this is a big step in the right direction, i feel like most 16 year olds could be better off without social media, as someone who was literally brought up by it. It won't kill them they'll be fine tbh. Still got games :)" a second user claimed.
While several online were visibly happy with the upcoming legislation, many called into question just how it would be enforced without the need for uploading ID.
"Yeah facebook has minimum 13 yrs old (at least when I was making mine in 2008) and still kids younger than 13 had accounts... only way they can do it is if they ask for id," one user pointed out.
"They'll just put a fake age. Literally all my DOB on my social media are wrong as I used to hate getting all the happy birthday messages from a ton of sites. Literally unsure as how they can even police this," another added.
Platforms like TikTok and Instagram decry the new social media ban, claiming it was "rushed"
The bill was passed on November 28, with 34 votes to 19 at the Senate. As for the House of Representatives, there was an overwhelming 103 votes to 13 in favor of the legislation being passed. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese claimed the law was for all the parents concerned about their child's safety online:
"Platforms now have a social responsibility to ensure the safety of our kids is a priority for them."
He also revealed that the decision stemmed from concerns over the mental and potential health implications on the young minds, including juvenile girls and boys with body image issues, among other things. Notably, the law has yet to specify just how the legislation will be enforced. Instead, it will be determined at a court hearing scheduled from January to March.
Per Business Today, the trial will see 1,200 Australians coming together on a randomized selection. KJR, a technology firm, will execute the same, and the goal is to brainstorm verification methods of users' ages without the need to compromise data security.
Reportedly, social media channels are voicing their disapproval, with some contending that such a law could have adverse effects. TikTok is claiming that juvenile people would, instead, be driven to the "darker corners of the internet." A spokesperson for the same said:
"We're disappointed the Australian government has ignored the advice of the many mental health, online safety, and youth advocacy experts who have strongly opposed the ban."
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Instagram and Facebook owner Meta Platforms has asserted that the decision was "rushed," noting that it would be difficult to work around such a law. Snapchat, on the other hand, vowed to work closely with the Government and the eSafety Commissioner to implement the same.
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