The Australian government introduced on Thursday legislation to set an age limit of 16 for social media users, calling it a “world-leading” initiative to protect children online, AP reported.
“Social media is harming our kids and I’m calling time on it,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said urging the protection of young Australians from online risks.
Albanese said the bill would be submitted to Parliament in the next two weeks, during the final session of the year. If passed, the age limit would come into force a year later, and platforms such as X, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook would have until the end of 2025 to implement methods of prohibiting access to users under the age of 16.
“I’ve spoken to thousands of parents, grandparents, aunties, and uncles. They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our kids online,” the minister added.
Under the proposed law, social networking platforms would face penalties for non-compliance, but children below the age limit and their parents would not be penalized.
Antigone Davis, Meta’s Head of Safety, backed the government’s initiative and said the company would comply with any age restrictions imposed by Australian law.
However, the proposal has sparked debate within the academic community. Last month, over 140 experts in technology and child welfare sent an open letter to Albanese, criticizing the age restriction as “too blunt an instrument to address risks effectively.”
Minister of Communications Michelle Rowland stated that the 12-month phase-in period would allow platforms enough time to implement the age restriction.
“Every company that operates in Australia, whether domiciled here or otherwise, is expected and must comply with Australian law or face the consequences,” AP quoted the minister as saying.