Social media companies could be fined more than $30 million for failing to keep children off their platforms under new laws to be introduced to Australia’s parliament on Thursday.
The law would force social media firms to take steps to prevent under-16s from accessing platforms like X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.
Failure to do so could mean a fine of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($32.5 million).
Australia is at the forefront of nations trying to clean up social media, and the proposed age limit would be among the toughest in the world for children.
Details on how social media companies are expected to implement the ban are unclear.
The proposed rules would also include stronger privacy provisions requiring tech platforms to delete collected age verification information.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said on Thursday that social media companies had a responsibility to the “safety and mental health” of Australians.
“The legislation puts the onus on social media platforms, not parents or children, to ensure protections,” she said.
Some companies will be exempt from the ban, such as YouTube, which teenagers may need to use for schoolwork or other reasons.
Messaging services — such as WhatsApp — and online gaming would also be exempt, Rowland said.
Once celebrated as a means of staying connected and informed, social media platforms have been tainted by cyberbullying, the spread of illegal content, and claims of election interference.
If the proposed law passes, tech platforms will be given a one-year grace period to figure out how to implement and enforce the ban.
Social media companies have said they will comply with the new legislation but have warned the government not to act too quickly and without proper consultation.
Analysts have also expressed doubt that implementing a strict age restriction would be technically feasible.
UNICEF Australia’s Katie Maskell said on Thursday the proposed legislation would not be a “solution” to child protection and more needed to be done.
He added that the laws risk pushing young people into “secret and unregulated online spaces”.
Many other countries are tightening children’s access to social media platforms.
Spain passed a law in June banning access to social media by under-16s.
And in the US state of Florida, a new law that went into effect in January will ban children under the age of 14 from opening social media accounts.
In both cases, the method of age verification is yet to be decided.
