Australian parliament weighs under-16 social media ban

A general view shows the Sydney Opera House in Sydney on January 14, 2016. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse

SYDNEY — Social media companies could be fined more than US$30 million if they fail to keep children off social media under new laws to be debated in Australia’s parliament Thursday.

The world-first legislation would force social media firms to take steps to prevent those under 16 years of age from accessing platforms such as X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.

Failing to do so would attract fines of up to Aus$50 million (US$32.5 million).

READ: Australia to ban children under 16 from social media – prime minister

Australia is among the vanguard of nations trying to clean up social media, and the proposed age limit would be among the world’s strictest measures aimed at children.

Details about how social media companies are expected to enforce the ban remain unclear.

The proposed laws, which will be presented to parliament Thursday, would also include robust privacy provisions that require tech platforms to delete any age-verification information collected.

Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland said Thursday that social media companies had a responsibility for the “safety and mental health” of Australians.

READ: Australian states back national plan to ban children younger than 16 from social media

“The legislation places the onus on social media platforms, not parents or children, to ensure protections are in place,” she said.

Some companies will be granted exemptions from the ban, such as YouTube, which teenagers may need to use for school work or other reasons.

Once celebrated as a means of staying connected and informed, social media platforms have been tarnished by cyberbullying, the spread of illegal content, and election-meddling claims.

If the proposed law passes, tech platforms would be given a one-year grace period to figure out how to implement and enforce the ban.

Social media companies have said they will adhere to new legislation but have cautioned the government against acting too quickly and without adequate consultation.

Analysts have also expressed doubt it would be technically feasible to enforce a strict age ban.