A bill banning social media for under-16s was presented to the Australian Parliament on Thursday with fines of more than 30 million euros envisaged for companies that fail to comply with the rules.
The groundbreaking legislation would force social media groups to take steps to prevent under-16s from accessing platforms such as X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.
Failure to comply with this obligation would result in fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (31 million euros).
The proposed legislation would currently be one of the strictest in the world regarding children, but its mode of application remains unclear.
It includes strict privacy protection measures that would force tech giants to delete any information collected for age verification.
Telecommunications Minister Michelle Rowland stressed on Thursday that social media companies were responsible for the “safety and mental health” of Australians.
“It is the responsibility of social media platforms, not parents or children, to ensure that protective measures are put in place,” she said. Certain platforms will benefit from exemptions, such as YouTube, which adolescents may need for school in particular.
Messaging services, such as WhatsApp, and online gaming should also be exempt.
The image of social networks has been tarnished in recent years by cases of cyberharassment, sexual exploitation of minors, and the dissemination of illegal or dangerous content for children.
If the proposed law is adopted, tech platforms will benefit from a one-year grace period to implement it.
Tech giants have pledged to enforce the legislation but warned the government against acting too quickly and without adequate consultation.
Analysts have also expressed doubts about the technical feasibility of a strict age ban.
The proposed legislation will not be a “panacea” for the protection of children, noted Katie Maskiell, of Unicef Australia, fearing that young people will be pushed into “hidden and unregulated online spaces”.
Several countries and territories have decided to impose a minimum age to access the platforms.
In the US state of Florida, a law is due to come into force in January to prohibit the opening of an account to those under 14 years old. Spain passed a law in June banning access to social media for those under 16. But in these two cases the practical arrangements have not been determined.
