Australia could become one of the first countries to introduce minimum age requirements for social media.
The Government will introduce legislation to make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have a social media account in Australia.
The law would hold social media companies responsible for enforcing minimum age requirements.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the proposal on Thursday. “Social media is doing harm to our kids and I’m calling time on it,” he said.
Background
Prior to the Government’s announcement, the Coalition said it supported minimum age requirements for social media.
In June, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton promised to implement a social media ban for under 16s, if the Coalition wins the next election.
The Prime Minister said Labor would also support a ban. In September, the Government announced it would introduce legislation before the next election (planned for May 2025). Funding for age-verification technology was included in this year’s Federal Budget.
Details
The Government will introduce legislation to make it illegal for under-16-year-olds to access social media.
Its proposal is expected to be tabled in Parliament before the end of the year.
Albanese said the minimum age law is “about protecting young people, not punishing or isolating them.”
Young people, with parental consent to use social media, will not be exempt from the legislation.
Social media platforms will be responsible for implementing the minimum age requirement.
The PM said these platforms will need to demonstrate that “they are taking reasonable steps to prevent access. The onus won’t be on parents or young people.”
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said, “These platforms know their users better than anyone.”
Albanese also said the Government “will introduce privacy protections for information collected for age assurance purposes.”
Enforcement
Online safety watchdog – the eSafety Commissioner – will enforce the legislation.
There won’t be a penalty for users. However, the Government said social media companies will be subject to new penalties.
It did not provide further details, but said “enhanced penalties” were needed “to ensure compliance.“
Rowland said social media platforms are “falling short” of their “social responsibility” to users.
Opposition
The Opposition has welcomed the announcement, and pledged to “work constructively with the Government”.
Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman wants to see the bill passed this year. However, he said the Coalition wants to ensure the legislation is “strong” and free from “any loopholes”.
“This is an issue which we believe is urgent.”
With the Coalition’s support, the Government’s legislation is expected to pass. It will come into effect 12 months after it’s passed.
