Australia passes law prohibiting minors under 16 from using social media

Following what was already predictedAustralia approved one of the strictest legislations ever seen for the use of social networks, prohibiting minors under 16 from accessing these platforms. The measure, approved in the Senate last Thursday (23), establishes fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (around R$170 million) for companies that do not comply with the new rules, reports Reuters.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the initiative as a way to protect young people from the negative impacts of social media. “We want children to have a real childhood and for parents to be able to rest assured”he stated.

The law, however, will not come into force immediately. The estimated deadline for implementation is at least 12 months, the time needed to define details such as which platforms will be affected and which age verification technologies will be used.

Understand how the ban will work

Although it is not yet clear which social networks will be covered, the government said the decision will be up to the communications minister, with guidance from the eSafety Commissioner, Australia’s online safety regulatory body. Messaging services, gaming platforms and sites that do not require logins, such as YouTube, are initially outside the scope of the legislation. At the beginning of the month, the Prime Minister had already declared that YouTube would be left out, as it is a platform that many young students use to support their studies.

Social networks will be responsible for implementing age verification systems, which may include biometrics or identity validation. Critics, however, question the effectiveness and privacy risks of these technologies. Tools such as VPNs, which mask users’ locations, are seen as possible ways to circumvent the ban.

Despite this, children who violate the rules will not be subject to penalties, as the responsibility will fall on the platforms.

Support and controversies

The new legislation has broad support among Australian parents and carers. “For too long, parents have had to choose between allowing their children to use addictive devices or isolating them socially“, said Amy Friedlander, one of the law’s main supporters.

On the other hand, experts warn that the ban could be “a very blunt instrument” to deal with the risks of using social networks. They fear that the measure will push children and teenagers into less regulated and more dangerous digital spaces.

Large technology companies also criticized the text’s lack of clarity. Google, Snap and Meta said the legislation could be ineffective. TikTok argued that the definition of “social network” is too broad and can cover almost any online service, while X (formerly Twitter) questioned the law’s compatibility with international human rights standards.

Next steps

Before coming into force, the legislation will still need to be approved in the House of Representatives, where the Albanese government has a majority. Despite the criticism, the prime minister maintains his firm position: “We know that technology advances quickly and that people will find ways to get around these laws. But that is no reason to ignore our responsibility to protect young people.”