Policy Watch
Ban on Google and Facebook Social Media for Children Under 16: Here’s Why
Google and Meta are urging the Australian government to reconsider the rushed implementation of a law banning social media use for children under 16. The companies cite the need for further evaluation of the law’s impacts and age-verification systems. The proposed legislation, which could impose hefty fines for non-compliance, is set to be one of the world’s strictest regulations in this space.
Google and Meta have called on the Australian government to pause the passage of a proposed law aimed at banning social media use for children under 16 years of age. The companies expressed concerns over the limited timeframe provided to assess the implications of such a move.
The bill, introduced just last week, is part of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s push for stricter regulations on children’s online safety. The legislation aims to enforce stringent age-verification measures, placing the responsibility squarely on social media platforms. The proposed system could involve the use of biometric data or government-issued IDs to verify users’ ages.
However, the tech giants argue that more time is required to evaluate the impact of these measures. In their formal responses, Google and Meta recommended awaiting the results of an ongoing age-verification trial before implementing the law. They pointed out that the bill allowed only one day for public feedback, which they deem insufficient for an issue of such complexity.
The legislation also introduces severe penalties for non-compliance, with fines of up to AUD 49.5 million (USD 32 million). It seeks to ensure that platforms, not parents or children, are held accountable for enforcing age restrictions.
While the government is keen to pass the law by the end of the parliamentary year, critics, including industry players, are concerned about the operational challenges and privacy implications. The debate centers on the balance between safeguarding children and protecting user privacy in a digital age.
If implemented, the law would establish Australia as a leader in online safety regulations, but it also raises questions about the feasibility and ethics of enforcing such strict controls.
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