Australia approves social media ban for people under 16
Viet Nga - VOV correspondent in Australia -
(VOVWORLD) - Australia approved on Thursday a social media ban for children under 16, setting a benchmark for jurisdictions around the world with one of the toughest regulations targeting Big Tech.
 Australia will ban children under 16 from using social media from the end of 2025. (Photo: Aresna Villanueva) |
The law forces tech giants like Instagram, Facebook owner Meta, and TikTok to prevent minors from logging on or face fines of up to 32 million USD. A trial of enforcement methods will begin in January and the ban will take effect after a year.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the law will protect children from negative influences on social media.
"Platforms have a social responsibility to ensure that the safety of our kids is a priority for them. We're making sure that mums and dads can have that different conversation today and in future days. ‘We've got your back’ is our message to Australian parents," Albanese said.
Although children under 16 will be banned from using popular sites like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat, some educational platforms likeYouTube and Google Classroom will not be banned.
TikTok said that they want to work with the Australian government to ensure the safety of young people and minimize the unwanted impacts of this law on Australian people.
Snapchat and Meta expressed concerns about this new regulation. Snapchat said it will engage closely with the government to develop an approach balancing "privacy, safety, and practicality".
Viet Nga - VOV correspondent in Australia