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December 1, 2024 | 11:12 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Australia officially prohibits children and teenagers under the age of 16 from using social media, making it the first country in the world to adopt such a policy. This historic decision was made after the Australian Senate passed the law on Thursday, November 28, 2024, with the majority of votes in favor. This rule will take effect at the end of next year, giving time for the public and digital platforms to adapt.
The law will block access for users aged 16 and below to various popular platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Reddit, and X. The government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, stated that this policy aims to protect the mental health and well-being of children and teenagers who are vulnerable to the negative impacts of social media usage.
However, this new law emphasizes that social media platforms are not allowed to force users to provide personal identity, including digital IDs, to verify their age. This step is taken to safeguard users' privacy, although it poses a challenge in implementing the ban.
This rule is accompanied by strict penalties including fines of up to AU$50 million for platforms that violate the provisions. The law had previously been approved by the lower house of parliament with a majority of 102 in favor and only 13 against. In the Senate, 34 senators voted in favor while 19 opposed.
The ban has sparked heated debates, with supporters welcoming it as an effort to protect the younger generation from the negative impacts of social media. On the other hand, opponents are concerned about the implications of this policy on freedom of expression, privacy, and its impact on the technology industry. Implementing the ban in the future will be scrutinized, especially on how to ensure that it runs without violating individual rights.
Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, previously stated that social media has a negative impact on society. He emphasized the importance of protecting the childhood of Australian children and supporting parents through this policy. Although acknowledging that some children may still attempt to access social media, the government hopes this policy will encourage digital platform companies to improve their systems.
The internal policies of social media platforms have actually prohibited minors from using their services, but this ban is often overlooked by both young users and their parents. Furthermore, some platforms have been accused of using algorithms to make teenagers addicted, although these accusations are strongly denied by the company. Research also shows a link between teenagers' use of social media and psychological issues and low self-esteem.
This ban has triggered various reactions among the Australian public. Some parents feel relieved, like Francesca Sambas, a Sydney resident, who considers social media often displaying inappropriate content for children. However, some of the public are angry about this policy, including Shon Klose, who sees it as a violation of democracy and an imposition on citizens.
Meanwhile, children affected by the ban express their intentions to circumvent the rules. They plan to continue using social media secretly.
Editor's Choice: Mixed Reaction to Australia's World-First Social Media Ban for Children Under 16
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