Post by : Saif Rahman

Australia has boldly initiated a nationwide restriction on social media usage for individuals under the age of 16. Effective December 10, major tech firms including Meta, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat are already taking steps to suspend or deactivate accounts of underage users. This initiative has attracted international attention, with experts predicting that other nations might adopt similar measures.

The primary objective of this legislation is to safeguard children from harmful online experiences, which encompass addictive features, dangerous content, and data privacy issues. Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, emphasized that such decisive action was essential as previous regulatory attempts had proven insufficient.

Inman Grant spoke at the Sydney Dialogue cyber summit, stating that the current landscape has reached a critical threshold. She highlighted that tech companies profit from user data, perpetuating designs that are difficult for even adults to resist. “What chance do our children have?” she questioned.

Initially hesitant about the rigorous blanket ban, she has come to believe that only a strong stance can effectively protect youth online. Additionally, she pointed out that governments globally are closely monitoring Australia’s actions, dubbing the law a “first domino” that may trigger a series of stricter regulations for Big Tech.

Meta’s services—Instagram, Facebook, and Threads—have already started disabling accounts, with notifications sent to underage users indicating that their accounts do not fulfill age requirements. Other platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat are similarly contacting young users, urging them to save personal data before their accounts face suspension or freezing until they reach 16.

This legislative measure carries severe penalties, including fines up to A$49.5 million ($33 million) for non-compliance by companies. Given that approximately 96% of Australian teenagers under 16 engage with social media, this change affects over a million youths.

Parents have largely rallied behind this decision. Sydney mother Jennifer Jennison expressed relief, believing the ban will alleviate pressures on children who frequently battle online bullying, unhealthy comparisons, and incessant notifications. “Give my kids a break after school,” she shared. “They can rest and spend time with the family.”

However, the law is not without controversy. Major tech companies lobbied against it for over a year, with some even seeking intervention from the U.S. government. The U.S. House Judiciary Committee has invited Inman Grant to testify, arguing that the Australian law could impact American free speech. She acknowledged that this request illustrates the global significance of the issue.

While she hasn’t confirmed whether she will testify, Inman Grant pointed out the irony of accusations regarding “extra-territorial power,” as the invitation is an external pressure from beyond Australia.

As December 10 approaches, the global community is watching closely to see the outcome of this initiative. Supporters believe it will protect children from detrimental online experiences, while skeptics raise concerns about its broad implications and potential influence on global internet governance.

Clearly, Australia has established a new benchmark in the worldwide conversation around children and digital safety, with other countries potentially following down the path it has paved.

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