Australian Prime Minister Urges Both Houses to Approve Social Media Ban for Under 16s

November 25, 2024 TruthUSA

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has expressed support for the ban, urging the government to complete the bill before Christmas.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called for both Houses to approve the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 on Nov. 25.

The Bill will prohibit individuals under the age of 16 from accessing social media, with some exceptions.

“It will be a source of pride for us. Let’s give parents a new sense of security. Let’s collaborate,” he stated in Parliament, urging them to work together to pass the bill by the end of the week.

This marks the final session of Parliament for the year.

“Social media companies must take responsibility for the societal harm caused by their platforms,” Albanese emphasized.

The bill includes fines of up to $50 million for companies that fail to enforce age restrictions, offers exemptions for essential services like educational tools, and includes privacy protections ensuring that age verification data is destroyed.

Australian Communications Minister Michelle Rowland also stated that social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Reddit, and X would be blocked.

“This Bill aims to establish a new societal standard—that access to social media is not the defining aspect of growing up in Australia,” Rowland remarked.

“There is a widespread recognition that immediate action must be taken to help prevent young teenagers and children from being exposed to unfiltered and limitless content.”

Albanese highlighted the connection between the social media ban and the increasing mental health challenges faced by young people.

“It is our obligation to take decisive action for every family. This legislation serves as a tool for parents, supporting their endeavors to safeguard their children from harm.”

Albanese lauded the initiative for positioning Australia as a global leader in addressing online risks related to youth, emphasizing that it would encourage a shift towards more engagement in real-world activities such as sports, the arts, and community engagement.

Last week, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also urged the government to finalize the legislation before Christmas, citing the limited time in Parliament.

“We have two upcoming sitting weeks, and we urge the government to continue the drafting process to bring the bill to Parliament,” he informed reporters on Nov. 12.

Meanwhile, during a Senate Inquiry on the Bill on the same day, Bryn Austin, a professor from Harvard University, endorsed the legislation but cautioned that Big Tech firms might be slow to implement the law.

Fellow academic and researcher Amanda Raffoul highlighted the “substantial advertising revenue” generated from young users and called for stricter regulations to prioritize youth well-being.

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