[Image of a child using her phone. Credit to Unsplash]

Australia’s Parliament recently passed a groundbreaking law on November 28, prohibiting children under 16 from using social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and TikTok.

This world-first legislation is part of a broader global initiative to address the growing influence of social media on the lives of our youth.

Under the new legislation, social media companies are required to prevent users under 16 from creating accounts, with penalties of up to AUS$50 million (approximately US$32.5 million) for non-compliance.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who spearheaded the initiative, argued that social media contributes to various issues for young people.

He stated, “We know that social media can be a weapon for bullies, a platform for peer pressure, a driver of anxiety, a vehicle for scammers. And worst of all, a tool for online predators.” 

The legislation has received overwhelming Australian public support, with poll results indicating that 77 percent of Australians are in favor of the ban. 

Figures including anti-bullying advocate Ali Halkic, whose son tragically took his own life after being cyber-bullied, have praised the bill as a necessary step toward protecting young people.

Halkic emphasized that the law empowers parents to have greater control over their children's online activities, which he believes could prevent further tragedies.

Nonetheless, despite widespread public support, the legislation has also drawn criticism from privacy advocates and children’s rights organizations.

Some critics argue that the law could inadvertently harm vulnerable youth, particularly teenagers who may rely on social media to find supportive communities.

LGBTQ+ youth, for instance, often use social media as a tool for expressing themselves and connecting with others who share similar experiences.

Opponents of the law warn that blocking access to these platforms could exacerbate feelings of isolation for those already marginalized in their offline communities.

The Australian Human Rights Commission has also expressed concerns, warning that the legislation could limit young people's ability to engage fully in society, especially if their access to social media is limited. 

These concerns underscore the complex balance between protecting youth from online harm and preserving their rights to participate in modern social and political discourse.

Privacy advocates have also raised alarms regarding the potential for increased surveillance and data collection.

Although the law targets social media companies, it could lead to heightened monitoring of young people's activities.

This shift may result in an expansion of personal data gathering by third parties, raising privacy concerns about how this information will be used and protected.

Despite these objections, the Australian government remains committed to enforcing the law, although it remains unclear how it will be implemented.

Currently, there is no definitive plan for how the age restriction will be enforced, and regulatory bodies will take at least 12 months to finalize the details.

In the meantime, platforms such as Messenger Kids, WhatsApp, Kids Helpline, Google Classroom, and YouTube will be exempted from the ban, as they are seen as essential tools for various developmental areas such as communication, education, and entertainment.