Australia takes bold step towards social media ban for minors

[WORLD] Australia came closer to outlawing social media for minors under 16 as the lower house of parliament passed the Bill, despite Alphabet's Google and Facebook-owner Meta urging the government to suspend the legislation.

The Bill was enacted by Australia's House of Representatives 102 to 13 after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's center-left Labor government obtained bipartisan support for the ban. News Corporation and other media groups have supported the ban.

The proposed legislation has sparked intense debate across the nation, with supporters arguing that it's a necessary step to protect children from the potential harms of social media. Critics, however, warn of the potential unintended consequences and the challenges of implementing such a sweeping ban. The divide in public opinion reflects the complexity of balancing child safety with digital rights in an increasingly connected world.

Some youth activists, including Australia's human rights commission, expressed concerns that the measure would harm children's rights to self-expression, but a YouGov poll issued on Tuesday found that 77% of Australians supported the ban, up from 61% in an August survey.

The proposed law would require social media platforms to take reasonable steps to ensure age-verification measures are in place. Companies could face fines of up to A$49.5 million (US$32 million) for systemic violations.

Experts in child psychology and digital media have weighed in on the potential impacts of the ban. Dr. Emma Johnson, a leading child psychologist, stated, "While protecting children from online harm is crucial, we must also consider the educational and social benefits that responsible social media use can provide. A blanket ban might do more harm than good if not carefully implemented."

To enforce the prohibition, Australia intends to test an age-verification system that might incorporate biometrics or government identity, among the strictest social media controls enacted by any country to date.

The Senate is due to discuss the Bill later on Wednesday, with the government hoping to get it enacted before the end of the parliamentary year on Thursday. Albanese, seeking to boost his approval ratings ahead of a May election, has warned that excessive social media use endangers children's physical and mental health and is seeking parental support.

The proposed ban has also raised concerns about digital literacy and education. Sarah Thompson, an education technology specialist, commented, "Instead of an outright ban, we should be focusing on comprehensive digital literacy programs in schools. Teaching children how to navigate the online world safely and responsibly is crucial in this digital age."

A Senate committee approved the bill late Tuesday, but included a stipulation that social media platforms not require users to submit personal data such as passports and other digital identification to establish their age.

The Senate's environment and communications law committee stated in its report that social media companies "must set out alternative methods for assuring age as reasonable steps, with consideration given to the age assurance trial".

The communications minister must provide a status report on the age assurance trial to parliament by September 30, 2025, according to the committee, which also encouraged the government to "meaningfully engage" with youngsters in drafting the bill.

The international community is closely watching Australia's move, with several countries considering similar measures. European Union officials have expressed interest in the outcomes of Australia's legislation, potentially setting the stage for a global shift in social media regulation for minors. This could have far-reaching implications for tech companies and their global operations.

"Young people, and in particular diverse cohorts, must be at the centre of the conversation as an age restriction is implemented to ensure there are constructive pathways for connection," said Senator Karen Grogan, the committee's chair.

In separate submissions to parliament, Google and Meta stated that the social media ban should be postponed until the age-verification trial is completed. Bytedance's TikTok said the bill needed further input, while Elon Musk's X claimed the proposed law could violate children's human rights.

Some opposition and independent MPs have criticized the government for attempting to approve the legislation in a week. The bill was introduced last Thursday, and submissions closed the next day. A brief public hearing was held on Monday.