Sydney, Australia – Australia Moved around Wednesday Ban on social media for children under 16 years of age Even Alphabet’s Google and Facebook owner Meta after the lower house of parliament passed a bill. Pressured the government to delay the legislation..
Marking some of the strictest social media controls in the world, Australia’s House of Representatives passed the bill by 102 votes to 13 after the prime minister. Anthony AlbanyThe centre-left Labor government won bipartisan support for the ban.
The bill was expected to be debated in the Senate later on Wednesday, with the government keen to ensure it is passed by the end of the parliamentary year on Thursday.
Albany, who is trying to boost his approval ratings ahead of an election expected in May, has argued that overuse of social media poses risks to children’s physical and mental health and has supported parents. are looking for
The planned law would force social media platforms to take reasonable steps to ensure age verification protections. Companies can be fined up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($32 million) for systemic violations.
Australia plans to trial an age verification system that could include biometrics or government identification to enforce the ban.
A Senate committee this week backed the bill but added a condition that social media platforms not force users to submit personal data such as passports and other digital identities to prove their age.
The committee added that the government should “meaningfully engage” with youth when making laws.
“Youth, and especially diverse groups, should be at the center of the conversation as age restrictions are put in place to ensure there are constructive avenues for communication,” said Sen. Karen Grogan, who chairs the committee. .
In a submission to parliament, Google and Meta said the ban should be delayed until the age verification trial is over, which is expected in mid-2025. Byte Dance’s Tik Tik said the bill needed further consultation. Elon MuskKX said that the proposed law could harm the human rights of children.
The ban was first announced during an emotionally charged parliamentary inquiry into social media, which included testimony from parents of children who self-harmed because of cyberbullying.
This has sparked fierce debate, with youth advocates arguing it takes away children’s voice and parent groups arguing that under-16s are too young to enter the digital world.
Teenagers have said the law can cut them off from their most important social and family connections, arguing that the ban is not the solution.
“I understand that using social media too much is not a good thing and I’m working on it,” said Annie Lam, 16, a student at Sydney High School.
“But a ban won’t work,” he said.
Albany’s party, which does not control the Senate, won significant support for the bill from opposition conservatives, but it has drawn opposition from the left-leaning Greens and some far-right lawmakers over civil liberties and privacy concerns. But failed to win.
A Conservative member of the House of Commons defected and voted against the bill on Wednesday, a rare occurrence in Australian politics, and two Conservative senators said they would also vote against it. Will, arguing that the law should be delayed until the age verification trial is over. .
Even the Australian Human Rights Commission, an independent statutory authority, opposed the ban, saying it violated children’s rights to express themselves and participate in society.
Still, polling shows public support for the measure. Oh The YouGov survey was released this week. 77 per cent of Australians supported the ban, up from 61 per cent in August.
Australian media, from the publicly owned Australian Broadcasting Corporation to Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, also support the ban. An editorial campaign by News Corporation, the country’s largest newspaper publisher, called for a ban under the banner “Let Them Be Kids”.
“Our members feel this is one of the biggest issues affecting themselves and their families at the moment,” said Jenny Branch-Allen, president of the Australian Parents Council, an advocacy group.
“Big companies have to start taking responsibility. Let’s try and reduce the incidents we’re hearing about on social media and with young people in Australia.