On Wednesday, Australia advanced its initiative to prohibit social media usage for individuals under the age of 16, with the lower house of parliament approving the legislation despite appeals from major tech companies like Google and Facebook-owner Meta to postpone the move.
The House of Representatives voted in favor of the bill with a tally of 102 to 13, following a collaboration between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s center-left Labor government and opposition lawmakers.
The Senate is anticipated to discuss the bill later in the day, with the government aiming for its passage before the parliamentary session concludes on Thursday.
Prime Minister Albanese is seeking to boost his approval ratings ahead of a likely election in May, advocating that prolonged exposure to social media can jeopardize the physical and mental health of young people. He is actively soliciting support from parents regarding this initiative.
Media outlets, including News Corp, have publicly supported the proposed ban.
However, some youth advocates and the Australian Human Rights Commission have voiced concerns that this legislation could infringe on children’s rights to express themselves. Nonetheless, a YouGov survey released on Tuesday indicated that 77 percent of Australians favored the ban, an increase from 61 percent in a similar survey conducted in August.
The forthcoming legislation mandates social media firms to implement reasonable age-verification measures. Companies found in systematic violation of these provisions could face fines of up to AUD 49.5 million ($32 million or approximately Rs. 270 crore).
Australia intends to test an age-verification system that could incorporate biometric data or government identification, potentially enforcing one of the strictest social media regulations globally.
A Senate committee endorsed the bill late Tuesday but recommended that social media platforms should not compel users to provide sensitive personal information, such as passports or other digital IDs, to verify their age.
In its recommendations, the Senate’s Environment and Communications Legislation Committee stressed that social media companies should develop alternative approaches to confirm age, taking into account the ongoing trial for age assurance.
The committee also noted that a progress update on the age assurance trial is required from the communications minister by September 30, 2025. There was an emphasis on the importance of engaging young people meaningfully in the development of the law.
“It is crucial for young people, especially those from diverse backgrounds, to be central to the dialogue as age restrictions are introduced to ensure there are constructive avenues for connection,” stated committee Chair Senator Karen Grogan.
In their respective submissions to parliament, Google and Meta contended that the social media ban’s implementation should be postponed until the age-verification trial is completed. Meanwhile, TikTok, owned by Bytedance, suggested that the legislation required further consultation, and X, led by Elon Musk, cautioned that the proposed law could infringe upon children’s human rights.
Some opposition and independent representatives have criticized the government for attempting to rush the legislation through parliament within a week. The bill was introduced last Thursday, submissions closed the next day, and a brief public hearing took place on Monday.
© Thomson Reuters 2024
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