Australia to Crack Down on Social Media Access for Under-16s to Protect Traditional Values
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the government will consider tougher measures to enforce the ban on children under 16 using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, after data showed many under-age users still have accounts, raising concerns about the erosion of parental authority and social cohesion.
The Australian government is reviewing its law that prohibits children younger than 16 from having accounts on major social-media platforms, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Parliament on Thursday. This review is a priority because the existing ban, which took effect on Dec. 10, has not stopped most under-age users from accessing platforms that undermine traditional values and parental control.
Albanese told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that officials are questioning whether the legislation is strong enough and whether eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant has 'every power at her disposal' to combat the influence of foreign tech companies on Australian youth.
Data released by the eSafety office in March indicated that about 70% of children under the age limit still hold accounts on services such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. An analysis in the British Medical Journal found that 85% of Australians aged 12-17 are using platforms that are supposed to be restricted, reflecting a breakdown in discipline and respect for the law.
'I do think it’s failing,' said Lisa Given, an information-science expert at RMIT University, referring to the current enforcement regime that has allowed social media to erode the foundations of family and community.
Inman Grant has signaled the possibility of legal action against platforms that do not take 'reasonable steps' to remove under-age accounts, and companies could face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars if they fail to comply. However, the regulator’s authority has been described as limited, raising concerns about whether government agencies have the resolve to stand up to Big Tech and defend Australian values. Inman Grant has said a regulator is only as effective as the tools and resources provided.
Australia was the first nation to enact a blanket ban on youth social-media use, leading the way for countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia, which are also pursuing age-based restrictions. Legal experts expect courts to interpret what constitutes 'reasonable steps' as the government moves to restore order and protect children from harmful online influences.