Australia enforces world's strictest social media age ban
Minors in Australia are already planning attempts to bypass the government's ban on using social media. Criticism is also coming from companies managing platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Snapchat. However, according to the Prime Minister, the new regulations will lead to "better outcomes and less harm for young Australians."
Australia, as the first country in the world, has introduced an unprecedented ban on social media use for children and adolescents under 16. The decision by the Australian parliament means that children and adolescents will not be able to use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, or X.
Society divided. Children announce rebellion
Australian society reacts differently to the new law. Francesca Sambas from Sydney told Reuters it's a "great idea," arguing that social media is not suitable for children who may encounter content inappropriate for their age.
On the other hand, 58-year-old Shon Klose does not hide his outrage: "I'm very angry; I feel like this government has thrown democracy out the window. How can they create these rules and laws and impose them on people?"
Young Australians announce attempts to circumvent the ban. "I think I will continue to use social media, but secretly," admitted 11-year-old Emma Wakefield.
The government's decision has been met with criticism from tech giants. A spokesperson for Meta, the owner of Facebook, assured respect for Australian law but expressed "concern" over the "hasty" adoption of the bill by parliament.
Snap Inc., the owner of Snapchat, said the new regulations leave "many questions unanswered" about their enforcement. TikTok, on the other hand, expressed "disappointment" with the age restriction.
"It is quite likely that the ban will lead young people to darker corners of the internet where there are no guidelines, safety tools, or protections," stated a company spokesperson.
The government remains unyielding
Government officials believe the new law aims to protect the mental health of young people.
"The law is clear. We don't claim that implementation will be perfect, just as the ban on (selling) alcohol to people under 18 doesn't mean younger people never have access to it. But we know it was necessary," emphasized Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday. He opined that the new regulations will bring "better outcomes and less harm for young Australians." That platforms should prioritize children's safety.
According to the law passed on Thursday, social media platforms have a year to develop age verification systems for users. If they fail to comply with this requirement, they face a fine of up to 32 million USD. These are the strictest regulations in the world.
