Australia is preparing a law that would ban children under 16 from accessing social media, a proposal that is sparking debate among parents and digital platforms alike. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made it clear that the law will not allow any exceptions, not even with parental consent, and will also cover existing profiles.
This legislation, which is expected to come into force in a year, will force social networks, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter), to implement measures to prevent access to minors. The government agency eSafety Commissioner will be responsible for monitoring the adoption of these policies and can apply fines to companies that do not comply.
While Meta announced that it complies with the new restrictions, it expressed concerns about how the protections will be implemented. Some critics, such as the Digital Industry Group, believe that such a decision is too rigid and does not take into account current technological challenges. In comparison, other countries such as France and the United States have introduced less stringent age limits, with possible exceptions or the ability to access social media with parental consent.
The Australian government aims to protect young people from online risks, but faces the delicate balance between safety and the need for social connection that many teenagers find on digital platforms. The proposal raises questions about its effectiveness and how digital reality should evolve in a context in which teenagers are increasingly present online.
