Australia’s Senate made a historic decision by passing legislation that prohibits children and teenagers under the age of 16 from using social media, the first state to take such an action by any country across the globe. The law, which takes effect next year, will restrict access to platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Reddit, and X.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government argues that this decision is vital for the health and well-being of youth. However, social media companies would not require government-issued IDs for age verification. Fines can amount to AU$50 million ($32 million) for non-compliance.
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The bill saw 34 votes in favor and 19 against in the Senate, whereas the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved it with 102 votes for and 13 against. Critics assert that this might leave some vulnerable young people isolated, but proponents consider it a means of protecting children from the successful outcomes of social media.
In a statement released on November 21st, Albanese said, “We want the kid in Australia to have a childhood, and we want the parents to know the Government’s in their corner. This is a pivotal reform. We know some kids will find workarounds, but we’re sending a message to social media companies to clean up their act.”
These social media sites prohibit minors from normalizing their use, yet this does not deter them. They have also been accused of using algorithms to draw teenagers into addiction to their services, charges which they reject. Many studies find strong connections between social media use among youths and reduced self-worth and psychological problems.