There is often controversy regarding the age for children to be active on social media platforms. Keeping children safe online is also a big challenge for parents. However, now Australia has taken a big step on this issue. According to an AP report, Australia’s House of Representatives has passed a bill to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media. Now the Senate will decide to convert this bill into law. If the law goes into effect, Australia will become the first country to implement such a law.
Heavy fines may be imposed on the platform
All major parties in Australia’s House of Representatives have supported the bill. The bill also states that failure to prevent children under the age of 16 from creating accounts will result in heavy penalties. Platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram could face fines of up to AUD 50 million (USD 33 million).
Companies have 1 year
After being introduced in Australia’s House of Representatives, this social media bill was passed by 102 votes in favor and 13 against. If the bill becomes law this week following a Senate decision, social media platforms will have a year to work out how to implement age restrictions. After this they will be fined.
Ready to ban porn too
Australia’s Communications Minister Michelle Rowland recently said that 95 percent of Australian parents consider online safety to be the biggest challenge in raising children. Australia is also working on measures to prevent children under the age of 18 from accessing pornographic material available on the Internet.
What did Elon Musk say?
According to PTI, X owner Elon Musk has questioned the bill. “(This bill) appears to be a behind-the-scenes attempt by Australians to control access to the internet,” he said in a post.
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