Australia is shaking up the social media world with a game-changing law. On 2025, teens under 16 will have to say goodbye to their TikTok, Instagram, X, Reddit, Snapchat and Facebook. It's a big deal that's got everyone talking! On November 29, 2024, the Australian government made history. They passed a new law with a long name: the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024. It's the first of its kind anywhere in the world.
So, what's the big idea? The government wants to keep young Aussies safe online. They're worried about cyberbullying, online predators, and other digital dangers. Their solution? Keep kids under 16 off social media altogether.
Here's how Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 work:
But don't panic just yet,.This change isn't happening overnight. The social media giants have at least a year to figure things out. The exact "D-Day" for the ban will be announced later.
Not everyone's thrilled about this new rule. Some people are cheering, saying it's about time we protected kids online. Others are worried it might go too far, cutting off young people from the digital world. As Australia gears up for this big change, the whole world is watching closely. Will other countries follow suit? Could this be the start of a global trend? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure – the way young people use social media is about to change in a big way Down Under!
Australia's Online Safety Act Gets a Major Upgrade: What You Need to Know
The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 will revolutionize Australia's digital landscape. This groundbreaking legislation amends the Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth). It introduces changes that will reshape how social media platforms operate in Australia.
Who Will Be Affected by Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024?
The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 will apply to 'age-restricted social media platforms. They defined these as electronic services that meet specific criteria:
The government plans to focus on popular social media apps that worry parents. According to the Minister's Second Reading Speech, this will "at a minimum, include:
However, the bill also provides flexibility through:
Initially, the government plans to exclude:
Examples of services likely to be exempt include:
Why Does the Australian Government Want to Ban TikTok?
The Australian government is banning TikTok and other social media for kids under 16 to protect them from harm. They want to keep children safe during important growth years.
1. Protecting Vulnerable Youth
The government's explanatory memorandum highlights several risks children face on social media:
These concerns are not unfounded. Dr. Ferdi Botha and his colleagues conducted the Household Income and Labor Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) study. Their annual survey has over 17,000 Australians. Dr. Ferdi Botha revealed a staggering 120% increase in psychological distress rates among 15 to 24 years old between 2011 and 2021. Dr. Botha says that the rise in mental distress aligns with the rise in smartphones and iPhones.
2. Shifting Responsibility to Social Media Platforms
The new law requires social media platforms to take responsibility for stopping kids from making accounts where harm could happen. By setting the minimum age at 16, the government aims to:
Some social media platforms already exclude children under 13 in their terms of service. However, the Australian government believes this isn't enough. By setting the age limit to 16, they aim to make the internet safer for teenagers while they're growing up.
Consequences for Non-Compliance: Hefty Fines and Public Scrutiny
Social media giants face staggering fines for non-compliance:
These aren't just arbitrary numbers. The government has strategically aligned these penalties with other major regulatory frameworks:
This move puts Australia on par with online safety penalties in Ireland, the European Union, and the UK. It signals a global shift towards stricter digital regulations.
Tech Giants Unite in Outcry: TikTok, X, and Meta Voice Alarm Over Australia's Social Media Ban
In an unprecedented show of unity, social media behemoths TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Meta have raised their voices against Australia's social media ban. This collective outcry underscores the far-reaching implications of the new legislation. It sent shockwaves through the tech industry.
TikTok strongly criticized Australia's new social media law. The company, owned by China's ByteDance Ltd., called the law "rushed" and "unworkable." They said there were many unanswered questions and unsolved problems with the ban. TikTok's reaction shows how hard it is to put such a big ban into action in today's digital world. This highlights the challenges of changing how social media works.
Snap Inc., the company behind Snapchat, shared similar concerns about the new law. They pointed out that past attempts in other countries to enforce broad. The mandatory age verification had not worked well. Snap suggested that Australia might face the same difficulties with this approach.
X, which used to be called Twitter, had even stronger words about the new law. The company, now owned by Elon Musk, said it had "serious concerns" about whether the bill was even legal.
Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, shared its worries about the new law in a calmer way. They said they were concerned about how quickly the law was passed. Meta felt that the government didn't take enough time to look at important things. These included:
It's not only tech companies that are worried about the new law. UNICEF, the United Nations group that helps children, also shared its thoughts. They warned that Australia's ban might cause problems it didn't mean to. UNICEF thinks the ban could push young people to use more dangerous parts of the internet. Katie Maskiell from UNICEF Australia had a different idea. She said that instead of stopping kids from using social media. She thinks that companies running these platforms do a better job. Maskiell thinks social media companies should create safe, age-appropriate online spaces for children.
TikTok Faces Widespread Bans Across Europe
French President Emmanuel Macron has been vocal, calling TikTok "deceptively innocent". In 2022, he accused TikTok of censoring content and promoting online addiction among young people
Several European nations swiftly followed with their own restrictions:
Some countries adopted distinctive strategies:
