The Australian Senate made history on Friday by passing a world-first social media ban for individuals under the age of 16. This legislation is set to penalize major platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, and Instagram with fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) if they fail to prevent underage users from creating accounts. The bill received overwhelming support in the Senate, with a vote of 34-19, and was easily passed in the House with a vote of 102-13. The House approved the Senate opposition changes on Friday, officially making the bill into law.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the legislation, stating that it would provide much-needed protection for children against online abuse. Albanese emphasized that social media platforms now have a responsibility to prioritize the safety of young users. The platforms have been given a year to implement the ban before facing fines for non-compliance. However, there have been concerns raised by various stakeholders about the swift implementation of the law and its potential impact on minors.

Meta Platforms, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, criticized the law as being rushed and raised concerns about its practicality and efficacy. The Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI) also expressed worries about the impact of the legislation on minors and the lack of clarity surrounding its enforcement. DIGI’s managing director, Sunita Bose, highlighted the need for a better understanding of the requirements imposed by the law.

The revised version of the legislation includes stronger privacy protections, preventing platforms from requiring users to provide personal identification such as passports or driver’s licenses. Critics of the ban argue that by prohibiting young children from using social media, the privacy of all users could be compromised, as platforms may now seek to verify the age of all users to ensure compliance with the law.

While the major political parties in Australia support the ban, advocates for child welfare and mental health have expressed concerns about potential unintended consequences. Senator David Shoebridge of the Greens party warned that the ban could isolate vulnerable young people who rely on social media for support, particularly those in regional communities and the LGBTQI community. Health and education services like YouTube, Messenger Kids, WhatsApp, Kids Helpline, and Google Classroom have been granted exemptions from the ban.

Opposition Senator Maria Kovacic defended the law as necessary but not extreme, emphasizing that it requires social media companies to take reasonable steps to identify and remove underage users from their platforms. She argued that these companies have a responsibility to prioritize child safety over profits and should have been enforcing these measures long before the legislation was introduced.

Online safety advocate Sonya Ryan, whose daughter Carly was tragically murdered by an online predator, praised the Senate’s decision as a significant step towards protecting children from online harms. She emphasized the importance of preventing similar tragedies in the future and urged collective action to safeguard young people online. Wayne Holdsworth, whose son Mac was a victim of online exploitation, expressed his pride in the passing of the age restriction, emphasizing the importance of protecting vulnerable youth from online dangers.

Critics of the legislation, however, argue that it overlooks the potential benefits of social media for youth mental health and connection. Christopher Stone of Suicide Prevention Australia criticized the law for neglecting to consider the positive impact of social media on young people and warned against rushing into regulations without sufficient evidence. He called for a more nuanced approach to policy-making that takes into account the diverse needs of young Australians.

Despite opposition from major social media platforms like Meta Platforms and Snapchat, the Australian government has pushed ahead with the ban, citing concerns about children’s online safety and parental anxieties. Critics fear that the ban may inadvertently harm young users by depriving them of online resources and driving them towards less regulated platforms. Some argue that the rushed implementation of the law poses privacy risks for all users and undermines parental autonomy.

As the government seeks to address parents’ concerns about children’s social media use ahead of the upcoming general election, the debate over the ban continues to divide stakeholders. While proponents view it as a necessary measure to protect children from online dangers, opponents warn of unintended consequences and potential limitations on young people’s access to beneficial online tools. The next year will be crucial in determining how this legislation is implemented and its impact on the digital landscape in Australia.