In an unprecedented move, the Australian Parliament has passed a law prohibiting minors under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. The Senate approved the ban on the last day of its session this year, following months of intense public debate and an accelerated parliamentary process.
Report informs via CNN that the bill was introduced, discussed, and passed within a single week.
According to the new legislation, tech companies must take "reasonable steps" to prevent underage users from accessing social media. Failure to comply could result in fines of nearly 50 million Australian dollars (32 million US dollars). The ban is expected to affect popular platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, and X (formerly Twitter), with the possibility of the list being expanded in the future.
Surveys indicate that 77% of Australians support the ban for children under 16. Now that the law has been passed, consultations are anticipated before the government sets a cut-off date. While parents and children will not be penalized for violating the ban, companies will need to prove that they have taken reasonable measures to prevent underage users from accessing their platforms.