In an unprecedented move globally, the Australian Parliament passed a law prohibiting the use of social networking sites by children under 16 years of age. The law, which had bipartisan support, passed overwhelmingly — 102 votes to 13 — despite pressure from tech giants such as Google and Meta to delay.
Pointing Reuters report The new law requires digital platforms to implement strict age verification procedures, at the risk of fines amounting to $32 million. The government plans to trial a verification system that may rely on biometric data or government identity documents by mid-2025.
Controversially, technology companies and youth rights activists opposed the law, warning of its risks to privacy. The X platform warned of violating children’s rights, while a parliamentary committee called for the involvement of young people in drafting the law and avoiding forcing users to share their sensitive data.
This law was prompted by moving testimonies from families of victims of cyberbullying, and a recent poll showed that 77% of Australians support it. But despite this popular support, the law faces opposition from some officials over civil liberties and privacy concerns.
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