Australia’s social media ban for under 16s divides opinion, draws Big Tech flak

Australians on Friday expressed a mixture of anger and aid following the introduction of a regulation banning social media use for youngsters underneath 16. The federal government claims the regulation, permitted late on Thursday, is a world-first initiative aimed toward safeguarding minors. However, tech giants like TikTok argue it might push younger customers to “darker corners of the web.”

After a nationwide debate, the laws has set a worldwide benchmark as one of many strictest rules concentrating on main tech corporations. Beneath the regulation, platforms resembling Meta’s Instagram and Fb, in addition to TikTok, should block minors from logging in or face penalties of as much as A$ 49.5 million. A trial to find out enforcement strategies will start in January, with the complete ban coming into impact by November 2025.

“Platforms now have a social accountability to make sure the protection of our children is a precedence for them,” stated Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. “We’re ensuring that mums and dads can have that completely different dialog in the present day and in future days.”

He highlighted the dangers of extreme social media use, together with psychological and bodily well being challenges for youngsters, significantly dangerous depictions of physique picture affecting women and misogynistic content material concentrating on boys.

Public response in Sydney was divided, as reported by Reuters. Resident Francesca Sambas supported the transfer, stating, “I feel that is a fantastic concept, as a result of I discovered that the social media for youths (is) probably not acceptable.”

On the similar time, Shon Klose criticised the federal government, claiming, “I am feeling very indignant… How might they presumably make up these guidelines and these legal guidelines and push it upon the individuals?” Kids additionally vowed to seek out methods across the ban, with 11-year-old Emma Wakefield admitting, “I really feel like I nonetheless will use it, simply secretly get in.”

TikTok, amongst different platforms, condemned the laws, calling it rushed. “It is solely possible the ban might see younger individuals pushed to darker corners of the web the place no neighborhood pointers, security instruments, or protections exist,” a TikTok spokesperson stated. Meta echoed these issues, labelling the legislative course of as “predetermined.”Whereas some view the ban as an important step in defending kids, others argue it dangers escalating Australia’s already tense relationship with US-based tech giants.