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Australia PM plays down privacy fears of social media ban for children

Economic Times

Economic Times · 9m ago

Australia PM plays down privacy fears of social media ban for children

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that social media firms will be required to delete personal data used for age verification under new legislation banning under-16s from using their services. The government plans to test an age-verification system using biometrics or government identification, setting some of the strictest controls globally. Platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Snapchat will be affected by the laws, which have drawn criticism from Elon Musk and others. The legislation proposes fines of up to $32 million for non-compliance and aims to be passed by the end of the parliamentary year.

Related News

Australian children able to bypass age limit set by social media platforms, report shows

Economic Times

Economic Times · 6m ago

Australian children able to bypass age limit set by social media platforms, report shows

A report by Australia's online safety regulator revealed that children in Australia are easily bypassing age limits set by social media platforms, despite an upcoming government ban for users under 16. The study found 80% of children aged eight to 12 use social media, with YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat being most popular. Social media companies primarily rely on self-declared ages, posing challenges for enforcing age restrictions ahead of the 2025 ban.

Australia has barred everyone under 16 from social media. Will it work?

Economic Times

Economic Times · 9m ago

Australia has barred everyone under 16 from social media. Will it work?

Australia has passed a sweeping ban on social media for children under 16, making it one of the most comprehensive measures worldwide to protect young people online. The law puts the responsibility on social media platforms to prevent anyone under 16 from having an account, with potential fines for corporations failing to comply. However, the details of enforcement and which platforms will be covered remain unclear. Critics argue that the ban may not effectively counteract the dangers of harmful content, while supporters believe it will help change social media usage norms among parents and children.

Australia revokes exemption to add YouTube to teen social media ban - The Economic Times

Economic Times

Economic Times · 29d ago

Australia revokes exemption to add YouTube to teen social media ban - The Economic Times

Australia has included YouTube in its social media ban for teenagers, previously exempting the site due to its educational use. The move addresses concerns over harmful content encountered by minors, sparking potential legal challenges from YouTube’s parent company, Alphabet. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized protecting children from negative online impacts. YouTube disputes its classification as social media, highlighting its video-sharing nature. The ban, effective December, aims to enhance online safety for Australian children.

Australia wants to ban kids under 16 from social media as world governments seek to crack down on the 'addictive' apps

Business Insider

Business Insider · 9m ago

Australia wants to ban kids under 16 from social media as world governments seek to crack down on the 'addictive' apps

Australia is proposing a ban on social media for individuals under 16, aiming to address the harmful impact of social media on children. The law would require social media companies to prevent minors from accessing their platforms, with a 12-month grace period for compliance. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the proposed legislation puts the onus on social media companies rather than parents, emphasizing the need to protect children from the negative effects of social media. This announcement follows similar measures taken in the US and UK, as concerns of social media addiction and its impact on mental health continue to grow. However, critics argue that the ban may be too broad and could impede access to critical services for young people.

Social media sites call for Australia to delay its ban on children younger than 16

Economic Times

Economic Times · 9m ago

Social media sites call for Australia to delay its ban on children younger than 16

Sunita Bose, the managing director of Digital Industry Group Inc., which represents major social media platforms in Australia, urged the government to delay the legislation banning children under 16 from accessing these platforms until an evaluation of age assurance technologies is completed in June. The proposed legislation would impose fines on platforms for allowing young children to have accounts. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland supports the bill, claiming that social media is not safe for young users. Bose warned that the ban could isolate children and drive them towards more dangerous online spaces.

Social media ban for children younger than 16 introduced in Australia's Parliament

Economic Times

Economic Times · 9m ago

Social media ban for children younger than 16 introduced in Australia's Parliament

Australia's communications minister has proposed a new law that would prohibit children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, and Instagram. The aim is to safeguard children from harmful content. Platforms that fail to enforce this age restriction could be fined up to 50 million Australian dollars. The bill has received widespread political support. However, critics argue that the ban could isolate teenagers from their existing online networks. In addition to the social media ban, Australia is also exploring ways to prevent minors from accessing online pornography.

Australia PM Albanese says Musk pushing agenda for X in social media ban criticism

Economic Times

Economic Times · 9m ago

Australia PM Albanese says Musk pushing agenda for X in social media ban criticism

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the country's social media ban on children under 16, in response to criticism from Elon Musk. Albanese accused Musk of pushing an agenda for the social platform, but indicated he was open to discussing the ban with him. The ban, which was approved late Thursday, is one of the toughest regulations targeting Big Tech and could strain Australia's relationship with the United States. The law requires tech giants to prevent minors from logging in or face hefty fines. Albanese emphasized the determination to implement the ban, which will take effect in a year.

Australian social media ban started with call to act by politican's wife

Economic Times

Economic Times · 9m ago

Australian social media ban started with call to act by politican's wife

Frances Haugen's revelations about social media's impact on mental health, along with a book by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, prompted Australia's second-smallest state, South Australia, to take action against social media addiction in youths. South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas introduced a ban for social media use for those under 16, which quickly gained support and led to a nationwide ban. The move reflects the growing concern over the effects of social media on teenagers' mental health, and the legislation is seen as a milestone in addressing this issue globally. The ban will take effect one year after its passing.

Australia ditches plans to fine tech giants for misinformation

Economic Times

Economic Times · 9m ago

Australia ditches plans to fine tech giants for misinformation

Australia has abandoned plans to impose fines on social media companies for failing to combat the spread of misinformation. The country's communications minister, Michelle Rowland, announced that the proposed legislation, which included the power to fine tech companies up to 5% of their annual turnover for breaching online safety obligations, has been dropped due to opposition in the senate. The bill had faced criticism from figures such as Elon Musk, who likened the Australian government to "fascists". As part of its efforts to regulate tech giants, Australia is also set to introduce a nationwide social media ban for children under 16, with potential fines of over $30 million for non-compliance.

ETtech Explainer: Amid online harm fears, nations push social media ban for under-16s

Economic Times

Economic Times · 3m ago

ETtech Explainer: Amid online harm fears, nations push social media ban for under-16s

New Zealand is considering a law to ban children under 16 from social media, aligning with other nations like Australia, which already has similar restrictions. This move, aimed at protecting children from online harm and addiction, is part of a global trend, with the UK, EU, Canada, and some US states contemplating comparable measures. If passed, the law would join New Zealand with countries actively legislating to protect minors from digital platform exposure.

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