Australia’s communications minister, Michelle Rowland, introduced a groundbreaking bill to Parliament on Thursday, proposing a ban on children under 16 from using social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X, and Instagram. Platforms failing to comply could face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for systemic failures to prevent young children from accessing accounts.
Aim to Redefine Social Norms
“This bill seeks to set a new normative value in society that accessing social media is not the defining feature of growing up in Australia,” Rowland stated in Parliament. She emphasized the urgent need to shield young people from unfiltered and harmful content prevalent on social platforms, especially during the formative years of their lives.
Elon Musk Raises Concerns
X owner Elon Musk criticized the proposed legislation, warning of broader implications for internet access. “Seems like a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians,” Musk posted on X.
Broad Political Support for Implementation
The bill enjoys bipartisan support, with platforms being given a year to implement the age restrictions once it becomes law. Rowland cited alarming statistics to back the proposal, including findings that two-thirds of 14- to 17-year-olds have encountered harmful content such as drug abuse, self-harm, and violent material online.
Addressing Parental Concerns
Government research revealed that 95% of Australian caregivers find online safety to be one of their toughest challenges. “This is about protecting young people, not punishing or isolating them,” Rowland said, adding that the legislation aims to reassure parents while supporting children’s health and well-being.
Limitations and Exemptions
The proposed restrictions would not apply to messaging services, online games, or platforms focused on health and education. Rowland clarified that such platforms do not involve algorithmic content curation or psychological manipulation for user engagement.
Age Verification Measures Underway
To enforce the law, the government has contracted the British company Age Check Certification Scheme to explore age estimation and inference technologies. These methods aim to verify user ages while safeguarding personal data.
Privacy Protections and Penalties
Platforms would face additional fines for misusing personal data gathered for age verification. Such data must be destroyed after its intended purpose unless the user consents to its retention, Rowland stated.
Opposition and Concerns
The Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI) has raised concerns about the legislation, cautioning that it could push young people toward unregulated online spaces. “Mainstream platforms have strict safety measures in place, and a ban could drive teens to less safe spaces without guardrails,” DIGI managing director Sunita Bose warned.
Expanding Age Restrictions to Online Pornography
In addition to social media restrictions, the government is considering measures to prevent children under 18 from accessing online pornography, further demonstrating its commitment to safeguarding young Australians.
This proposed legislation marks a significant step toward reshaping online safety standards in Australia while sparking a global debate on balancing youth protection and internet access.
