NewKerala.com

Australia's Social Media Ban for Under-16s: Why the World Is Watching

Australia has just rolled out a world-first law banning children under 16 from having social media accounts. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese encouraged kids to spend their holidays on sports or books instead of screens. While most Australians support the idea, many doubt it will actually stop kids from getting online. Other countries are now watching closely to see if they should follow Australia's lead.

Key Points: Australia Enforces World-First Social Media Ban for Under-16s

  • Landmark law requires platforms like Facebook and TikTok to block under-16s from accounts
  • Non-compliant platforms face massive fines of up to 49.5 million AUD
  • Public poll shows 73% support but only 26% believe the ban will work effectively
  • Critics argue the ban is hard to enforce and may push youth to riskier online spaces
2 min read

Australia's world-first social media ban for under-16s comes into force

Australia's landmark social media ban for under-16s takes effect, targeting major platforms like TikTok and Instagram amid global interest and enforcement challenges.

"Start a new sport, learn a new instrument, or read that book that has been sitting there on your shelf for some time. - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese"

Sydney, Dec 10

Australia's world-first social media ban for under-16s came into effect on Wednesday, with 10 major platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and X, required to prevent them from holding accounts.

In a video message to students around Australia on Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the government has made the change to support children who have grown up with algorithms, endless social media feeds and the pressure they bring.

He also encouraged students to make the most of the upcoming school holidays rather than spending all their time scrolling on their phones.

"Start a new sport, learn a new instrument, or read that book that has been sitting there on your shelf for some time," Albanese said.

"And importantly, spend quality time with your friends and your family. Face to face."

The Australian federal parliament passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 in November last year, requiring certain social media platforms to take "reasonable steps" to prevent children under 16 from having accounts, Xinhua news agency reported.

Platforms that fail to comply face fines worth up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (about $32.8 million). There are no penalties for under-16s who access an age-restricted social media platform, or for their parents or carers.

So far, 10 social media platforms have been instructed to enforce the ban -- Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X, YouTube, Kick and Reddit. Authorities may update the list as needed.

A recent poll shows broad public backing for a social media ban, with 73 per cent of Australians supportive. Yet, only 26 per cent express confidence that the measure will work, and 68 per cent believe children will get around it.

Support is highest among teachers (84 per cent) and parents (75 per cent), but drops to 62 per cent among those aged 16 to 24, according to the poll released in early December by Pureprofile, an Australia-based global data, insights and digital media company.

Despite agreeing to comply, most of the social media platforms oppose the measure, arguing that the ban is difficult to implement and could drive young people into dark corners of the internet.

Global online forum Reddit said on Tuesday that it would comply with the law, but disagrees about its "scope, effectiveness, and privacy implications."

Australia's teen social media ban has drawn international interest, with countries including Denmark, Malaysia, Brazil, Indonesia and New Zealand reportedly considering similar measures.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good intention, but practically impossible to enforce. Kids are smarter with tech than the lawmakers. They'll use VPNs, fake details, or just find other platforms. The poll says it all - only 26% think it will work. The effort and fines should go towards digital literacy for parents and kids instead.
S
Sarah B
As a parent, I fully support this. The mental health crisis among teens linked to social media is global. The PM's message to start a sport or read a book is spot on. In our Indian context, with coaching classes and exam pressure, screen time is the only "break" for many. We need to offer better alternatives.
A
Aman W
The platforms are right about one thing - it could push kids to darker, unregulated corners of the internet. A blanket ban is not the solution. Responsible use, guided by parents and schools, is key. Also, what about educational content on YouTube? A complete ban seems too broad.
M
Meera T
Interesting to see other countries considering this. In India, we have a huge youth population. The social media addiction is worrying, but so is the digital divide. While some kids are over-connected, many still lack basic access. Policy must be nuanced. But kudos to Australia for trying something.
V
Vikram M
The fine is massive - nearly 50 million AUD! That might make the big companies sit up and actually develop better age-verification tech. If it works there, it sets a global precedent. Hope our policymakers are watching. We need to protect our Gen Alpha from the algorithm trap.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50