Australia: On November 29, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that social media companies have a duty to safeguard children following the passage of new laws prohibiting anyone under 16 from using these platforms.
Albanese announced in Canberra that these groundbreaking laws aim to enhance the safety of young Australians. He emphasized that social media platforms now bear a social responsibility to prioritize the protection of children.
The Senate approved the legislation late Thursday, and it was subsequently passed by the House of Representatives in a procedural session on Friday morning, setting the stage for the laws to take effect in a year.
While the government has not detailed how the laws will be enforced, companies that do not take adequate measures to prevent under-16s from accessing their platforms could face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (approximately $32.5 million).
Albanese acknowledged that the implementation might not be flawless, comparing it to the alcohol ban for those under 18, which doesn’t completely eliminate access for minors but is still a necessary step.
In response, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, expressed concerns about the rapid progression of the legislation through parliament. A spokesperson highlighted the lack of consideration for existing industry measures to ensure age-appropriate experiences and the perspectives of young people.
To aid in the enforcement of the age limit, a government-funded trial of age verification technologies is anticipated.