Australia is planning law against social media for less than 16 year olds
Australia is planning law against social media for less than 16 year olds
The Australian government plans to impose considerable fines for social media that violate a proposed ban that prohibits children under the age of 16 to use their services. The Minister of Communications Michelle Rowland presented an amendment to the online security law in parliament on Thursday, which the government is on as "leading social media reform".
Introduction of the minimum age for social media
"The Albanese government introduces a legal regulation that sets 16 years as a minimum age for access to social media," said Rowland in a message. "This reform aims to protect young people and show the parents that we support them."
High fines for violations
The law provides fines of up to $ 50 million in Australian dollars ($ 32.5 million) for companies that have not “taken a reasonable steps to prevent age-limited users”. The prohibition should apply to social media such as TikK, X, Instagram and Snapchat, although a list of prohibited services has not yet been published.
bipartisan support and effects
The law has cross -party support, and if it is adopted, it comes into force in one year. "The law takes responsibility on social media and not on the parents or children to ensure that there are corresponding protective measures," said Rowland. "Ultimately, it's about promoting a safe and healthy online environment for young Australians."
protection of children from online dangers
Legislation follows several top-class cases in which children have committed suicide due to online bullying, as well as complaints from parents about the pressure to which their children are exposed online. Many parents and supporters of the ban welcome the draft law as an overdue measure to increase the responsibility of technology companies for tools that use Australian children online.
criticism of legislation
However, critics argue that the proposed ban is a gross instrument that reduces the access of teenagers to support networks and will create greater risks for those who violate the ban. Both sides agree that it is a risk when children spend too much time online and that technology companies have to do more to make their products safer.technological progress for age verification
The Australian government has also commissioned the British consortium Age Check Certification Scheme to test technologies for age verification in order to support the efforts to keep children from social media away. In addition, a "digital duty of care" is proposed for providers to "protect users and prevent online damage". Similar agreements were also introduced elsewhere that enable users to submit complaints and enable the authorities to take measures.
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