Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently emphasized the responsibility of social media platforms to protect children after the country’s parliament passed a new bill that prohibits children under the age of 16 from using social media. Speaking in a press conference, Albanese stated that platforms now have a "social responsibility" to ensure the safety of kids online.
The new law, approved on Thursday, is a result of intense debate and aims to set a strong precedent for protecting children in the digital world. The law applies to major social media companies such as Meta (owner of Instagram and Facebook) and TikTok. These companies will be required to prevent minors from accessing their platforms or face heavy fines of up to A$49.5 million (around $32 million).
The ban is set to take effect in a year, but the government plans to begin testing enforcement methods in January. Prime Minister Albanese expressed the hope that the new legislation would allow parents to have important conversations about social media safety with their children, both now and in the future.
This move by Australia is one of the strictest regulations targeting big tech companies globally, and it highlights the growing concern over the safety and well-being of young people online.
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