Australia has enacted a ban on social media for individuals under 16. However, the country still faces obstacles in enforcing such a sweeping move. Explore more about the implications of the new law and what it may bring to both tech companies and youth safety.
Australia’s government has approved a bill that bans social media for users under 16, with social media platforms now liable to face fines as high as AU$50 million for non-compliance. The bill is slated to take effect in 2025 and requires strict age verification, possibly through biometrics or government IDs. Most politicians are in favor of the bill, but critics argue that the new law would instead drive teens toward unregulated spaces. According to some critics, it is not about full bans but rather regulation concerning the content and privacy, which isolates youth from their social networks.
