In a move likely to be followed around the world, Australia has approved a law that will ban the use of social media by children under the age of 16. The bill was introduced about a week ago but it had the support of the main opposition party and the opposition party. center-left government over concerns technology services have a negative impact on children’s well-being.
The ban is expected to take effect in November 2025, via Reuters. At that time social media platforms in the market will have to be able to demonstrate that they take “reasonable steps” to ensure that age verification is in place to stop children from accessing their services. Otherwise they could face fines of up to $32 million.
Australian lawmakers have ignored pleas from tech giants including Google and Meta to delay the ban until the end of a year-long verification trial. That is planned for about the middle of next year. But in another last-minute privacy-focused amendment, the Senate committee added a provision that social networks should not force users to submit personal information such as a passport or other digital ID to prove their age.
