Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has emphasized the significant responsibility social media companies have in protecting children online. On Friday, he made a strong statement following the passage of new laws aimed at restricting access to social media platforms for individuals under the age of 16. This world-first legislation is seen as a crucial step in ensuring the safety of young Australians in the digital age.
In a press briefing in Canberra, Albanese pointed out that the new laws are designed to safeguard children from the potential dangers of social media. He highlighted that it is now the duty of social media platforms to take necessary measures to ensure that the safety of children is their top priority.
The legislation, which received approval from the Senate late Thursday night, aims to impose strict regulations on social media access, making it clear that the government considers protecting children online to be an urgent issue.
The legislation, which passed the House of Representatives early Friday morning, will be enforced in 12 months. This gives the social media industry a year to comply with the new rules. However, the government has yet to provide details on how exactly these laws will be enforced in practice.
What is certain, however, is that any social media platform that fails to prevent users under the age of 16 from accessing their services could face hefty fines. These fines could reach up to 50 million Australian dollars, which is approximately $32.5 million.
Prime Minister Albanese acknowledged that the enforcement of the law may not be flawless. He compared it to the alcohol ban for those under 18, which, while not perfect, has been a necessary measure to protect young people. Despite potential challenges in enforcement, Albanese stressed that the law is an essential step in ensuring the safety of children online.
The new legislation has raised concerns, particularly from Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. Meta expressed its concerns over the speed at which the legislation moved through parliament.
The company’s spokesperson raised doubts about whether the legislation properly considered the existing efforts by the industry to ensure age-appropriate online experiences. Meta also pointed out that the law’s passage seemed to ignore the voices of young people, a key stakeholder group.
In response to the government's new law, the government has stated that a trial of age verification technologies will help in determining how the new age restrictions will be implemented.
Follow us
