MADRID 28 Nov. () –
The Australian Senate approved this Thursday the bill that prohibits the use of social networks by people under 16 years of age, a final procedure that makes this country the first in the world to impose this type of measure for the sake of psychological and social well-being of minors.
The measure has the support of the main parties, which have managed to move forward with the process before the start of a parliamentary recess period and despite the doubts that some legislators had expressed about a reform that will come into force within a year. The House of Representatives had already voted in favor on Wednesday.
The text proposes fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (about 30.8 million euros) for companies that do not comply with this new age limit, in the absence of specifying which specific networks or portals will be affected. The Government has ruled out punishments for users.
Some of the companies that are expected to be affected have criticized the lack of specificity, while for the owner of the social network citizens in Australia.
The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, is among those who have publicly defended this ban, highlighting among other things that it is an unprecedented reform worldwide. “Social media is harming our children and I am going to put an end to it. I want Australian parents and families to know that the Government has their back,” he said when announcing the changes.
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