Australia is edging closer to enacting a groundbreaking law that would ban social media for children under the age of 16, following a contentious debate in Parliament. The lower house passed the bill with overwhelming support—102 votes in favor to 13 against—putting the legislation on track for Senate discussion later this week. The government hopes to secure its passage by Thursday, before Parliament breaks for the year.
The proposed law is part of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s push to address rising concerns over the impact of social media on children’s mental and physical health. Albanese has framed the legislation as a crucial step in protecting young Australians, seeking to win parental support ahead of elections expected in May. The bill mandates that social media platforms enforce age-verification systems, with hefty fines—up to A$49.5 million ($32 million)—for non-compliance.
In response to concerns over privacy and data security, a Senate committee added conditions to the bill, including that platforms must avoid forcing users to submit sensitive personal information like passports for age verification. The committee also emphasized the need for youth engagement in the law’s development, stressing that young people’s voices must be central in any discussion of age restrictions.
However, tech giants like Google and Meta, the parent company of Facebook, have expressed concerns about the proposed timeline, urging a delay until mid-2025 when an age-verification trial is expected to conclude. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, also called for further consultation, while Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) warned that the law could infringe on children’s human rights.
The proposed ban has sparked heated debate across the country. Some youth advocates argue that it stifles children’s voices and access to digital connection, while parents’ groups contend that minors are too vulnerable to the risks of social media. Teenagers, like 16-year-old Sydney high school student Enie Lam, have voiced opposition, arguing that a ban would cut them off from vital social connections. “I understand the concerns about social media, but banning it isn’t the solution,” Lam said.
While the Albanese government secured bipartisan support for the bill, it has not won over all factions. The Greens and some right-wing lawmakers have opposed the bill on civil liberties grounds. Even within the conservative ranks, there has been dissent, with one member breaking ranks to vote against the bill and two senators pledging to do the same.
Despite opposition from civil liberties groups, including the Australian Human Rights Commission, polling reveals strong public backing for the ban. A recent YouGov survey showed that 77% of Australians support the move, up from 61% in August. Leading media outlets, from the publicly funded ABC to Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, have also rallied behind the initiative, with News Corp’s editorial campaign urging a ban under the slogan “Let Them Be Kids.”
As Australia moves forward with this unprecedented legislation, parents and advocacy groups are pushing for tech companies to take greater responsibility in safeguarding children from the dangers of social media.