On November 28, Australia passed a new law aimed at keeping kids safe on social media. This law bans children under 16 from using popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, and X (formerly Twitter).
The law, called The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, is designed to protect young Australians during important stages of their development, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. However, YouTube, WhatsApp, and health or education apps like Headspace and Google Classroom will not be affected by this age limit.
The new law puts the responsibility on the social media companies to prevent kids under 16 from signing up. They have one year to make the necessary changes. If they fail to do so, they could face fines of up to $32 million.
Prime Minister Albanese acknowledged that while some kids might find ways to bypass these rules, the government is sending a strong message to social media companies to improve their practices. He emphasized the need for children to enjoy their childhood and for parents to feel supported by the government.
The law also addresses privacy concerns. Users will not need to show government ID to verify their age, regardless of how old they are. Additionally, it includes strong privacy protections, requiring companies to delete any personal information they collect.
This legislation comes after extensive feedback from young people, parents, and experts, and is part of Australia’s broader effort to ensure the safety of users on social media.
