Canberra [Australia], November 29: In a landmark move to protect young Australians, the government led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has passed a law setting 16 years as the minimum age for social media access. The legislation, which passed with bipartisan support in both houses of Parliament, aims to address growing concerns about the impact of social media on children’s well-being.
Balancing Safety and Privacy
Prime Minister Albanese, alongside Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland, emphasized that the decision followed extensive consultations with stakeholders, including parents, young people, child development experts, and community organizations.
“Our decision to set the minimum age at 16 years is based on extensive consultation,” said Rowland. “It strikes a balance between minimizing harm during critical stages of development and maintaining access to essential services like education and health.”
The law requires social media platforms to take “reasonable steps” to prevent users under 16 from creating accounts. Companies failing to comply face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (approximately $32 million) for systemic failures to enforce the age requirement.
Privacy Concerns Addressed
To safeguard user privacy, the legislation does not mandate government identification for age verification. Opposition parties raised concerns about potential infringements on privacy rights, leading to this safeguard being built into the law.
Platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, and X are expected to fall under the law’s jurisdiction, while others such as YouTube and messaging apps like WhatsApp are likely to be exempt.
Social Responsibility for Platforms
In a media release, Albanese reiterated the importance of holding social media platforms accountable for user safety. “We need to do everything we can to keep our kids safe. Social media platforms have a responsibility to protect their users, and this legislation ensures significant penalties for breaches,” he said.
Minister Rowland added, “Social media has a social responsibility for the safety of their users, and this legislation holds them to account.”
Protections for Essential Services
The law allows under-16 users to access platforms that primarily provide educational or health services. The government stated it would work with stakeholders to ensure compliance while maintaining access to these critical resources.
The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 represents a significant step toward safeguarding the mental health and well-being of young Australians, addressing concerns raised by parents across the country.
