Australia Considers Ban on Children Under 16 from Social Media - Major Digest

Summary:** The Australian Senate is considering a world-first bill that would ban children younger than 16 years old from social media. The legislation, which has been overwhelmingly supported by the House of Representatives, aims to hold platforms liable for fines up to $33 million for systemic failures to prevent young children from holding accounts. **Introduction:** In a move aimed at protecting children's mental health and wellbeing, Australia is on the cusp of becoming the first country in the world to ban children under 16 from social media. The bill, which has been rushed through Parliament without adequate scrutiny, has sparked concerns among child welfare and mental health advocates about unintended consequences. **Potential Unintended Consequences:**

Concerns Over Lack of Detail

Unaligned Sen. Jacqui Lambie raised concerns about the limited amount of time given to debate the age restriction, describing it as "undercooked." She questioned whether the government had considered the potential consequences of such a ban on children's mental health and wellbeing. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly carried the bill 102 votes to 13, but many critics argue that this was due to a lack of scrutiny. The Senate is now considering the legislation, with some calling for a delay until further evaluation on age assurance technologies has been completed.

Rushed Legislation Sparks Concerns

Critics argue that the government rushed the legislation through Parliament without adequate consideration for its potential consequences. They point out that the law would be unworkable and pose significant challenges for social media platforms, which could lead to children finding alternative, potentially darker online spaces. Moreover, opponents of the bill argue that it undermines parental authority to make decisions for their children's online activity. By imposing a blanket ban on young children from social media, the government may inadvertently drive them towards the dark web, where they may be exposed to more harm than good.

Platforms Unprepared for Ban

Social media platforms have expressed concerns about the unworkability of the law, urging the Senate to delay the vote until at least June next year when a government-commissioned evaluation of age assurance technologies is due. They argue that implementing the ban would require significant technological changes and infrastructure investments. Platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X, and Instagram are worried about the potential fines they could face if they fail to implement the ban within the one-year timeframe. This could lead to a significant financial burden for these companies, potentially impacting their future business plans.

Mental Health Concerns

Child welfare and mental health advocates have raised concerns that the ban on young children from social media may have unintended consequences on their mental wellbeing. Some argue that social media can provide positive benefits for children, such as connecting them with peers, fostering creativity, and promoting online safety. Others warn that the ban could isolate children, deprive them of these positive aspects, drive them towards the dark web, discourage children too young for social media to report harm, and reduce incentives for platforms to improve online safety.