(Credit: James Brickwood/Sydney Morning Herald via Getty Images)
Australia has officially presented its bill that would ban social media use for minors under the age of 16—and force platforms to pay up to $32.5 million in fines if they don't comply.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland brought the bill before Australian Parliament on Thursday. Its imminent arrival had been previously publicized earlier this month. If passed, the bill would require social media platforms to take "reasonable steps" in denying access to underage users or face financial penalties of up to $49.5M AUD, which is about $32.3M USD. Rowland said the fine amount proposed "reflects the systemic nature of the harms that could arise."
The proposed law will apply to TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and the like. It won't apply to online video games or apps that serve purely messaging, educational, or health purposes. WhatsApp, YouTube, Google Classroom, and PeerChat are examples of apps that would be exempt from the ban.
"This is about protecting young people—not punishing or isolating them—and letting parents know we’re in their corner when it comes to supporting their children’s health and wellbeing," Rowland said, adding: "We know establishing a minimum age for young people having social media accounts is not the only approach that needs to be taken and we know that this measure will not be met with universal acceptance."
The bill may pass into law by the end of next month. Social media companies will then have a year to introduce age-restriction measures that stop minors from logging on in the country. The Australian government will also be testing its own age-verification system, which requires biometrics and government IDs.
However, the government is aware of the proposed law's limitations. Like with the Pornhub blocks in some US states, impacted users can turn to VPNs to get around the ban.
"We know some kids will find workarounds, but we're sending a message to social media companies to clean up their act," said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who previously confirmed the bill was coming.
"We know social media is doing social harm. We want Australian children to have a childhood, and we want parents to know the government is in their corner. This is a landmark reform," the Prime Minister added.