The Australian Senate has passed a groundbreaking law banning social media usage for children under the age of 16. This legislation is one of the strictest measures ever introduced against major tech companies.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that social media platforms were causing physical and mental harm to children. In a press briefing, he argued that social media negatively affects young girls’ body image perceptions and exposes boys to misogynistic content.
The law, which offers no exemptions such as parental consent, was introduced to Parliament last week. Described as a “global benchmark in protective legislation,” the proposal was officially enacted after a seven-day evaluation period.
Known as “The Social Media Minimum Age Bill”, the law was widely supported in Parliament and is expected to take effect in November 2025. Under this regulation, social media platforms will be required to implement robust age verification systems.
The Australian government has taken a no-compromise stance, with violations of the law resulting in penalties of up to AUD 49.5 million (approximately USD 32 million).
Tech Giants Push Back
Google and Meta, two of the world’s largest tech companies, have called for a delay in enforcing the law, citing the need to complete trials for age verification systems. However, the Australian government remains firm, emphasizing that the law will be applied without exceptions.
While this bold move aims to enhance child safety, questions remain about how social media platforms and users will adapt to these new rules.
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