SYDNEY, NOV 29 – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said today that a law banning children under 16 from using social media would ‘reduce harm’ to children.
The crackdown on websites such as Facebook, Instagram and X, approved by parliament late yesterday will lead to “better outcomes and less harm for young Australians”, he told reporters.
The government does not expect the new law to be implemented perfectly, Albanese said when comparing alcohol bans for children under 18 that can sometimes be avoided.
“But we knew it was the right thing to do,” he told a news conference in Canberra.
Many platforms now have a ‘social responsibility’ to make children’s safety a priority, the prime minister said.
“We support you, is our message to Australian parents.”
The social media firm, which was fined up to US$32.5 million for failing to comply, described the law as ‘vague’, ‘problematic’ and ‘rushed’.
The legislation will come into effect in 12 months, but there are currently almost no details on how the regulation will be enforced, prompting fears among experts that it will be symbolic legislation that cannot be enforced. – AFP
