New Delhi: In a move that could drastically reshape the social media landscape, the Australian government has introduced a bill to Parliament that would effectively ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms. This legislation, championed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, is being touted as one of the toughest stances on youth social media access worldwide.
The proposed bill carries hefty penalties for social media companies that fail to comply. Companies could face fines of up to A$49.5 million if they don’t implement robust age verification systems to prevent underage users from accessing their platforms. These systems could include sophisticated measures like biometrics, government identification, or other advanced technologies to confirm users’ ages.
“This is a landmark reform,” Prime Minister Albanese stated, emphasizing the government’s commitment to protecting young people online. “We know some kids will find workarounds, but we’re sending a message to social media companies to clean up their act.”
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This legislation takes a hard line by explicitly excluding parental consent as a valid reason for underage access. This means that even children with existing social media accounts would be required to leave the platforms if they fall below the age limit. However, the bill does allow for potential exemptions for educational purposes or platforms specifically designed to support health and well-being.
This bold move by the Australian government has sparked intense debate, with proponents lauding the increased protection for children and critics raising concerns about privacy, freedom of expression, and the potential for unintended consequences. The bill’s progress through Parliament will be closely watched by policymakers and tech companies around the globe.
