A bill banning children under 16 from using social media passed the Australian Senate on the 28th, and will soon become the world’s first law.
The bill stipulates that platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit,
The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 34 to 19. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the bill with a vote of 102 to 13 on the 27th.
A bill banning children under 16 from using social media passed the Australian Senate on the 28th, and will soon become the world’s first law. Associated Press
The House of Commons has yet to approve the opposition amendments made in the Senate, but it is only a formality as the government has already agreed to pass them.
Platforms will have a year to consider how to implement the ban before the penalties take effect.
This amendment strengthens personal information protection. Platforms cannot force users to provide government-issued identification, including a passport or driver’s license, or require digital identification through government systems.
The House of Representatives is scheduled to pass this amendment on the 29th. Some worry that banning children from social media will impact the privacy of users who must prove they are 16 or older.
While the major political parties support the ban, many child welfare and mental health experts worry about unintended consequences.
Greens senator David Shoebridge said mental health experts agreed the measure could isolate many children seeking support using social media.
“This policy will cause the greatest harm by disconnecting vulnerable young people, particularly those in the LGBTQI community from their communities,” Shoebridge told the Senate.
Opposition senator Maria Kovacic said the bill was desperately needed.
Sonya Ryan, who campaigns for online safety, whose 15-year-old daughter Carly was murdered by a 50-year-old pedophile who pretended to be a teenager online, called the Senate vote on the measure “a monumental step towards protecting children from the horrific harm online.” He described it as “a moment.”
Wayne Holdsworth, whose teenage son Mac committed suicide after falling victim to an online sex scam, said he was proud the bill had passed.
Suicide Prevention Australia chief executive Christopher Stone said the bill failed to take into account the positive aspects of social media in supporting young people’s mental health.
The platforms complained that the law would be unworkable and urged the Senate to delay a vote until next June.
Critics claim the government is trying to persuade parents ahead of general elections in May.
They also say the bill was attempted to be passed through Congress without proper review, would be ineffective, would result in a violation of user privacy, and would undermine parents’ ability to make decisions about their children. They say the policy is not reasonable.
