Australia Proposes Social Media Ban for Minors

Australia is proposing a landmark bill to ban social media use for children under 16, with potential fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars for platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram that fail to comply. The legislation, introduced by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, aims to address the widespread concern over the exposure of young users to harmful online content. Exemptions include platforms necessary for educational purposes, like YouTube, and messaging services such as WhatsApp. While the bill has garnered substantial political support, its implementation details, especially on age verification, remain vague. Critics, including UK safety campaigners, argue that such measures unfairly penalize children for the platforms' shortcomings in providing age-appropriate safe environments. The proposed law places the responsibility on social media companies to ensure children's safety, with a one-year grace period for these platforms to establish compliance mechanisms.