[An image of organized different social media platforms. Photo credit: Pixabay]

On November 28th, 2024, Australia made history as the first country in the world to pass legislation banning social media access for children under 16. France and some of the states in the United States of America have prevented and restricted the minors’ access to these platforms, but Australia’s measure represents the first comprehensive national ban for users under 16. The landmark legislation passed the Australian Senate on November 28th, 2024, with 34 votes to 19. In a more decisive showing, the House of Representatives approved the bill by an overwhelming margin of 102 votes to 13. The ban will affect major social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok.  Industry analysts expect the legislation to dramatically impact tech companies through reduced user bases. Under the new law, platforms must prevent users under 16 from accessing their services or face penalties of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($32 million USD). Additionally, minors who bypass these restrictions could trigger fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million USD). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the legislation’s importance, stating, “Platforms now have a social responsibility to ensure the safety of our kids is a priority for them,” according to AP News.  The law aims to address parental concerns about growing social media use among young people. However, it has drawn criticism from various quarters. Some Australian residents worry about privacy implications related to age verification processes. Currently, Instagram’s age verification requires either facial scanning or ID submission, raising privacy concerns. Senate David Shoebridge voiced opposition to the measure, telling AP News, “This policy will hurt vulnerable young people the most, especially in regional communities and especially the LGBTQI community, by cutting them off”.  Many of the critics have also labeled the legislation as hastily implemented, arguing that alternative solutions could have been explored. Many express concern about the potential disruption to online communities. The Australian government plans to implement the law within a year, beginning with trial periods before full enforcement.