Forget the photos of Sydny at sunset on Instagram or the viral dances on TikTok, in Australia, one of the strictest laws in the world is about to come into force: banning access to social media for those under 16. In a move that has shocked teenagers (and probably also some young influencers), Anthony Canberra’s Parliament has approved a law that requires digital platforms to block minors, under penalty of fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (around 30 million euros). Both houses of the Australian parliament have given the green light. The text was first passed by the House of Representatives, with 102 votes in favor and 13 against, then by the Senate. Prime Minister Canberra did not use half measures, calling social media “an engine of anxiety, a vehicle for scammers and a tool for online predators” and proposed healthier alternatives such as a game of cricket. «Global problem. We want young people to go back to living their childhood” concluded the prime minister.
THE EMERGENCY
The law affects platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and TikTok, but leaves out services such as WhatsApp or YouTube, which are essential for homework. At least that’s what the Australian government hopes, giving tech companies 12 months to take adequate measures to verify the age of users. Public opinion seems to approve of this decision: according to a YouGov poll, 77% of Australians support the ban. However, there is no shortage of doubts. Opponents speak of a hasty measure, which could easily be circumvented by small hackers thanks to VPNs or fake accounts.
IL BUSINESS
Tech giants such as Elon Musk, owner of X, and Meta have expressed doubts about the measure. «We respect the established laws, but the process was rushed. Even the parliamentary commission said that the causal link between social media and the mental health of young people is not clear” commented a spokesperson for the US giant. Meanwhile, other nations such as Spain, France and the United States are discussing similar measures, while China has already introduced strict rules from 2021 to limit teenagers’ time online. So, while the Australian government tries to take kids offline, the internet is preparing for the counterattack. How difficult will it be for Generation Z, born on bread and reel, to say goodbye to social media?
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