MELBOURNE, Australia — Legislation banning social media use for under-16s passed the Australian Senate on Thursday, poised to become a global first.
The new law will impose fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X, and Instagram for failing to prevent underage users from creating accounts.
The Senate approved the bill with a 34-19 vote, following the House of Representatives’ overwhelming 102-13 approval on Wednesday.
The House will soon confirm Senate amendments; the government has already indicated its support.
Platforms will have a year to implement the ban before facing penalties.
Meta Platforms, parent company of Facebook and Instagram, criticized the legislation’s rushed passage.
Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI), representing Australian platforms, raised concerns about the law’s practical implications, technical feasibility, and scope.
“The social media ban legislation’s rapid enactment leaves its practical application unclear, leaving both the public and platforms uncertain about their obligations,” DIGI managing director Sunita Bose stated.
Amendments strengthen privacy safeguards, prohibiting platforms from demanding government-issued IDs or digital identification from users.
The House is scheduled to approve the amendments on Friday. Critics worry the ban will compromise user privacy by forcing verification of age.
While major parties support the ban, child welfare and mental health advocates express concerns about potential negative consequences.
Senator David Shoebridge (Greens) cited mental health experts who believe the ban could isolate children who rely on social media for support.
“This policy will disproportionately harm vulnerable young people, particularly in regional areas and the LGBTQI community,” Shoebridge argued.
Opposition Senator Maria Kovacic defended the bill as necessary, not radical. “The legislation aims to ensure social media companies take reasonable steps to identify and remove underage users,” Kovacic stated, adding that companies should have addressed this responsibility long ago.
Sonya Ryan, whose 15-year-old daughter was murdered by a pedophile posing as a teenager online, hailed the Senate vote as a significant step in protecting children.
“It’s too late for my daughter, Carly, and others, but let us stand together and support this,” she stated.
Wayne Holdsworth, whose son died by suicide following online sextortion, also celebrated the legislation’s passage.
“I am immensely proud of this decision,” Holdsworth shared.
Christopher Stone of Suicide Prevention Australia criticized the legislation for ignoring social media’s positive role in young people’s mental health.
“The government is acting rashly. Young Australians need evidence-based policies, not hasty decisions,” Stone stated.
Platforms argued the law is impractical and requested a delay until June 2025, citing a government-commissioned evaluation of age verification technologies.
“We respect the Parliament’s decision, but are concerned about the rushed process and lack of consideration for evidence, industry practices, and young people’s perspectives,” Meta Platforms stated.
Critics suggest the government is using the legislation to appeal to parents before the upcoming election, hoping to garner support by addressing concerns about social media addiction. Some believe the law could cause more harm than good.
Criticisms include insufficient scrutiny, ineffectiveness, privacy risks, infringement on parental authority, potential isolation of children, and discouragement of harm reporting.
Opponents also argue the ban could drive children to the dark web, reduce platform incentives to improve online safety.