New Delhi:
Taking a big step, Australia has banned the use of social media by children up to 16 years of age. For this, the Parliament of Australia has approved the Social Media Minimum Age Bill. This law is to be implemented from next year. Tech companies have been given one year time to take measures to prevent children up to 16 years of age from accessing social media. For violating this, a fine of around 50 million Australian dollars can be imposed on social media. Technical companies have called it a hasty step. However, some platforms have been kept out of the scope of this law.
What are the provisions of this law
The Social Media Minimum Age Bill was passed by the Senate of the Australian Parliament on Thursday by 34 versus 19 votes. This bill was passed in the House of Representatives on Wednesday with a majority of 102 versus 13. There is a provision in this law that if a child below 16 years of age creates an account on sites like Facebook, Instagram and If they do not comply, there has been a provision of a fine of up to 50 million Australian dollars.
The ban on social media is being seen as a major victory for Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. ,Photo Credit: AFP)
The Parliament of Australia passed this bill after a long debate on the last day of its last session this year. The passing of this bill is being seen as a major victory for Australia’s left-leaning Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. After this bill became law, Prime Minister Albanese said on Friday, “It is now an important task for the platform to ensure that “There is a social responsibility that the safety of our children is their priority. We are ensuring that parents can think and do different things on different days.” Albanese has said he wants Australian youth to get away from their phones and play on football and cricket fields, tennis and netball courts and swimming pools.
Australia becomes the first country in the world to ban social media for children
With this, Australia has become the first country in the world to impose such a ban. This law will come into effect from the new year. For violating this law, a fine of about 50 million Australian dollars can be imposed on the technology company. To avoid this fine, social media companies will have to make arrangements to prevent children from logging on to their platforms. Social media companies will have one year to take measures to comply with this law. However, some platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp and Google Classroom have been kept out of this ban.
Some platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp and Google Classroom are still out of this ban.
Elections are to be held in Australia next year. This bill was opposed by tech companies as well as some organizations supporting the rights of privacy and children’s rights. But some recent surveys revealed that 77 percent of the people of the country are in favor of this bill. Are in support of the bill.
Does any other country have such a law?
By making this law, Australia has set an example for those countries which are thinking of making or have announced making laws to limit or prevent children’s access to social media. In fact, concern is being raised all over the world about the impact of social media on the minds of children. Seeing this, many countries have started thinking in this direction.
Before Australia, France and some American states have made laws against children logging on to social media without parental permission. Such a law made in the American state of Florida has been challenged in the court on the grounds of freedom of expression.
What is the stance of tech companies
Before the ban was imposed, a parliamentary inquiry recorded the statements of parents whose children had harmed themselves due to social media bullying. This bill also had the support of Australia’s media.
This bill also had tremendous support from the Australian media. ,Photo Credit: AFP)
With this law, Australia’s relations with technology companies may also deteriorate, especially with American companies. The largest and famous social media companies in the world are from America. Twitter owner Elon Musk is also from America. He is going to play an important role in the next government of the country. It is also important to know here that Australia was the first country which ordered social media companies to pay royalty to media companies because they share their content.
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