Social media giants criticize a new Australian law banning them from signing up under-16s, while UNICEF warns the law is not a 'silver bullet' against online harm, potentially pushing kids into 'covert and unregulated' spaces. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese supports the legislation, emphasizing the need for 'better outcomes and less harm for young Australians'.
A high school student poses with her mobile showing her social media applications in Melbourne, Australia , November 28, 2024. REUTERS/Asanka Brendon RatnayakeMELBOURNE: Social media giants on Friday hit out at a landmark Australia n law banning them from signing up under-16s, describing it as a rush job littered with"many unanswered questions".
The crackdown on sites like Facebook, Instagram and X, approved by parliament late on Thursday, will lead to"better outcomes and less harm for young Australians", he told reporters. "It's entirely likely the ban could see young people pushed to darker corners of the internet where no community guidelines, safety tools, or protections exist," a TikTok spokesperson said.Tech companies said that despite the law's perceived shortcomings, they would engage with the government on shaping how it could be implemented in the next 12 months.
But the company added it was concerned"about the process, which rushed the legislation through while failing to properly consider the evidence, what industry already does to ensure age-appropriate experiences, and the voices of young people".A Snapchat spokesperson said the company had raised"serious concerns" about the law and that"many unanswered questions" remained about how it would work.
Social media companies remain adamant that age verification should be the job of app stores, but the government believes tech platforms should be responsible.
Social Media Underage Users Legislation Australia UNICEF Online Safety
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