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December 3, 2024

Australia Bans Social Media Use for Children Under 16
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Australia has passed legislation banning social media use for children
under 16 years old. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese touted the
first-of-its-kind law as he spoke from Canberra Friday. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: "World-leading action to make sure
social media companies meet their social responsibility. Social media is
doing harm to our children. … Platforms now have a social responsibility
to ensure the safety of our kids is a priority for them."

Platforms like Tik Tok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram
could be fined up to $33 million if they systematically fail to prevent
users younger than 16 from having accounts. It's unclear if the ban will
affect ties between the U.S. and Australia. Elon Musk, a close Trump
ally, blasted the ban as a "backdoor way" for the Australian government
to control internet access. In response, Albanese said of Musk, "he has
an agenda."


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