This country will prohibit minors under 16 years of age from using social networks

Published:

Nov 7, 2024 07:45 GMT

“It is necessary that there be more severe sanctions,” said the Minister of Communications.

The Australian Government has committed to establishing 16 years as the minimum age required for the use of social networks, with sanctions for platforms that do not comply with the standard, advertisement on Thursday the country’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, together with the Minister of Communications, Michelle Rowland, at a press conference.

“I want Australian parents and families to know that the Government has their back,” Albanese said. “I want parents to be able to say [a sus hijos]: ‘Sorry buddy it’s illegal‘”.

The Prime Minister then emphasized that the responsibility will fall on the companies of social networks “to demonstrate that they are taking reasonable steps to prevent access.” The responsibility will not fall on parents or young people and there will be no sanctions for users.

The measure includes platforms such as Instagram*, TikTok, Facebook*, X and YouTube. Speaking about possible age verification methods, Rowland clarified that these apps “know their users better than anybody“He added that an “age guarantee trial” is being carried out.

“The eSafety Commissioner will have responsibility for enforcing the law and there needs to be tougher penalties to ensure compliance,” Rowland explained, mentioning that the legislation currently has penalties of less than one million Australian dollars (660,000 US dollars).

In the same context, he said that the damage that social networks are causing to young people is “at the top” of the list of national concerns. “Social networks have a social responsibility, but the platforms are not fulfilling their duty,” he added.

At the same time, Albanese admitted that such legislative changes are not expected to “fix everything immediately.” “We do not pretend that it can be obtained a 100% result. But those laws set the parameters for our society and help ensure proper outcomes,” he argued.

* Belonging to Meta, classified in Russia as an extremist organization, whose social networks are prohibited in its territory.