Social media companies could be fined more than $30 million if they fail to keep children off their platforms, under new laws before the Australian Parliament on Thursday.
The legislation would force social media companies to take steps to prevent people under 16 from accessing platforms such as X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.
Failure to do so could mean fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($32.5 million).
Australia is among the forefront of countries trying to clean up social media, and the proposed age limit would be among the world’s strictest measures targeting children.
Details about how social media companies are expected to enforce the ban remain unclear.
The proposed laws would also include strong privacy provisions that would require tech platforms to delete any information collected for age verification.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said on Thursday that social media companies had a responsibility to the “safety and mental health” of Australians.
“The legislation puts the onus on social media platforms, not parents or children, to ensure protection,” she said.
Some companies will be given exemptions from the ban, such as YouTube, which teens may need to use for school work or other reasons.
Messaging services – such as WhatsApp – and online games will also be exempt, Rowland said.
Once celebrated as a way to stay connected and informed, social media platforms have been tarnished by online bullying, the spread of illegal content, and allegations of election interference.
If the proposed law passes, tech platforms would be given a one-year grace period to figure out how to implement and enforce the ban.
Social media companies said they would comply with the new legislation but warned the government against acting too quickly without adequate consultation.
Analysts also expressed doubts that it would be technically possible to impose a strict age ban.
Katie Maskell, from UNICEF Australia, said on Thursday the proposed legislation would not be a “blanket solution” to protecting children, and there was more to be done.
She added that the laws risk pushing young people into “secret and unregulated electronic spaces.”
Several other countries have tightened children’s access to social media platforms.
Spain passed a law in June banning access to social media for those under the age of 16.
In the US state of Florida, children under the age of 14 will be prohibited from opening accounts on social media under a new law scheduled to take effect next January.
In either case, the age verification method has not yet been determined.
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