Australia's social media ban for under-16s sparks backlash
Minors in Australia are already planning attempts to bypass the government ban on using social media. Companies managing platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Snapchat also criticize the new regulations. However, according to the Prime Minister, the new regulations will lead to "better outcomes and less harm for young Australians."
Australia, as the first country in the world, has introduced an unprecedented ban on social media use for children and adolescents under 16. The decision by the Australian parliament means that children and adolescents will not be able to use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, or X.
Society divided. Children announce rebellion
Australian society reacts differently to the new law. Francesca Sambas from Sydney assessed in an interview with Reuters that it's a "great idea," arguing that social media is not suitable for children who may encounter content inappropriate for their age.
On the other hand, 58-year-old Shon Klose does not hide his outrage: "I'm very angry; I feel like this government has thrown democracy out the window. How can they create these rules and laws and impose them on people?"
Young Australians announce attempts to circumvent the ban. "I think I will continue to use social media, but secretly," admitted 11-year-old Emma Wakefield.
The government's decision has been met with criticism from tech giants. A spokesperson for Meta, the owner of Facebook, assured respect for Australian law but expressed "concern" over the "hasty" adoption of the bill by parliament.
Snap Inc., the owner of Snapchat, assessed that the new regulations leave "many questions unanswered" about their enforcement. TikTok, on the other hand, expressed "disappointment" with the age restriction.
"It is quite likely that the ban will lead young people to darker corners of the internet where there are no guidelines, safety tools, or protections," stated a company spokesperson.
The government remains unyielding
The government officials believe the new law aims to protect the mental health of young people.
"The law is clear. We don't claim that implementation will be perfect, just as the ban on (selling) alcohol to people under 18 doesn't mean younger people never have access to it. But we know it was necessary," emphasized Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET. In his opinion, the new regulations will bring "better outcomes and less harm for young Australians," and platforms should prioritize children's safety.
According to the law passed on Thursday, social media platforms have a year to develop age verification systems for users. If they fail to comply with this requirement, they face a fine of up to 44 million CAD. These are the strictest regulations in the world.
