Australia is poised to become a global leader in online child protection. The lower house of the Australian Parliament has overwhelmingly passed a bill that would effectively ban social media access for children under the age of 16. This momentous decision, passing with 102 votes in favor and only 13 against, reflects a growing global concern about the impact of social media on young people’s mental and physical well-being.
The bill has garnered bipartisan support, spearheaded by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor government. Albanese, facing an upcoming election in May, has framed the legislation as a crucial step to safeguard children, appealing to parents’ anxieties about the potential harms of excessive social media use. This move follows a significant public outcry, with a YouGov survey revealing that 77% of Australians support the ban – a notable increase from 61% just months ago. Major media outlets, including News Corp, have also voiced their support for the proposed legislation.
However, the path to enacting this ban hasn’t been without resistance. Tech giants Alphabet (Google) and Meta (Facebook) have actively lobbied the government to delay the bill’s implementation. These tech companies, facing potential A$49.5 million ($32 million) fines for systemic breaches of the new law, argue against the measures. The concerns extend beyond financial penalties; the bill mandates that social media platforms implement robust age-verification systems to prevent underage access.
While the Australian Human Rights Commission and some youth advocates have voiced concerns about potential infringement on children’s right to self-expression, the weight of public opinion and the government’s commitment seem unwavering. The bill now moves to the Senate, which is expected to finalize its consideration by the end of the parliamentary year on Thursday. The Senate’s Environment and Communications Legislation Committee has already endorsed the bill, albeit with a crucial amendment.
The committee’s report emphasizes that while age verification is paramount, social media platforms should explore alternative methods beyond requiring sensitive personal data like passport information. The committee’s suggestion encourages the exploration of less intrusive age-verification techniques, mandating a progress report on the age assurance trial to be submitted to parliament by September 30, 2025. This commitment to exploring less invasive methods highlights a balance between safeguarding children and respecting individual rights.
The Australian government’s commitment to engaging with youth in shaping the future of this law is also noteworthy. The proposed legislation, if enacted, will represent some of the strictest social media controls globally, setting a significant precedent for other nations grappling with similar challenges in the digital age. The upcoming Senate vote will be keenly watched internationally as a potential benchmark for regulating social media access for minors.
