Australia’s House of Representatives has passed a bill that would prohibit children under 16 years old from using social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X, and Instagram. The Senate is now tasked with finalizing this world-first law, which would hold these platforms accountable for fines up to 50 million Australian dollars in the case of failing to prevent young children from creating accounts.
The legislation, which passed with a significant majority, aims to protect children online by implementing age restrictions on social media platforms. Opposition lawmaker Dan Tehan emphasized the importance of the law in improving people’s lives, despite acknowledging that it may not be perfect.
Critics of the bill have raised concerns about privacy risks, potential isolation of children, and the unintended consequences of driving young users to the dark web. Independent lawmaker Zoe Daniel argued that the legislation would not address the inherent harms of social media and instead serve as a political gesture.
The support of major parties in both the House of Representatives and the Senate increases the likelihood of the bill becoming law. Supporters, including online safety campaigner Wayne Holdsworth, believe that the legislation is essential for protecting children online, particularly in light of tragic incidents like his son’s suicide due to online exploitation.
If the bill is enacted, social media platforms will have one year to comply with the age restrictions before facing penalties. The final decision on the legislation is expected to be made during the Parliament’s last session for the year, just before upcoming elections in Australia.
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