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Australia to implement a fine system for social media companies that fail to enforce the under-16s ban

Australia to implement a fine system for social media companies that fail to enforce the under-16s ban

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The Australian government is proposing a new law to restrict social media access for minors. The law, introduced by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, aims to ban children under 16 from using platforms like Instagram and X. The proposed legislation gives platforms one year to implement age restrictions, and failure to do so could result in fines of up to $32.5 million. The bill is pitched as a world-leading reform, and Rowland has emphasized the need for parents to have more control over their children's online activity.

Michelle Rowland
Labor Party
1. This bill seeks to set a new normative value in society that accessing social media is not the defining feature of growing up in Australia.
2. Ultimately, this is about supporting a safer and healthier online environment for young Australians.
3. We are not saying risks don't exist on messaging apps or online gaming. While users can still be exposed to harmful content by other users, they do not face the same algorithmic curation of content and psychological manipulation to encourage near-endless engagement.
4. For too many young Australians, social media can be harmful. Almost two-thirds of 14- to 17-years-old Australians have viewed extremely harmful content online including drug abuse, suicide or self-harm as well as violent material. One quarter have been exposed to content promoting unsafe eating habits.
5. The Albanese Government is introducing world leading legislation to establish 16 as the minimum age for access to social media.
6. There is wide acknowledgement that something must be done in the immediate term to help prevent young teens and children from being exposed to streams of content unfiltered and infinite.
7. The legislation places the onus on social media platforms, not parents or children, to ensure protections are in place.
8. This is about protecting young people, not punishing or isolating them, and letting parents know that we're in their corner when it comes to supporting their children's health and wellbeing.

Australia to implement a fine system for social media companies that fail to enforce the under-16s ban

Social Media Ban for Children in Australia

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