Today the Government has introduced world-leading legislation to enforce a minimum age of 16 years for social media.
The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 will deliver greater protections for young Australians during critical stages of their development.
It will require social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent under 16s from having accounts.
The law places the onus on social media platforms – not parents or young people – to take reasonable steps to ensure these protections are in place.
The Bill and the associated rules will ensure young Australians have continued access to messaging and online gaming, as well as access to services which are health and education related, like Headspace, Kids Helpline, and Google Classroom, and YouTube.
The Government will introduce stronger penalties for online safety breaches, which will see digital platforms face fines of up to $49.5 million for systemic breaches.
The Bill creates a new definition of ‘age-restricted social media platforms. This will include Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, and X, amongst others.
It will contain robust privacy provisions, including requiring platforms to ringfence and destroy any information collected to safeguard the personal information of all Australians.
The law is designed to be responsive to changes in technology and services.
The Bill has been designed following extensive feedback from young Australians, parents, experts, industry, community organisations and state and territory governments.
It builds on broader efforts by the Australian Government to hold platforms accountable for ensuring the safety of their users.
Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese:
“We know social media is doing social harm
“We want Australian children to have a childhood, and we want parents to know the Government is in their corner
“This is a landmark reform. We know some kids will find workarounds, but we’re sending a message to social media companies to clean up their act.”
Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland:
“The Albanese Government is continuing to act on its commitment to keep children safe online
“This legislation will go a long way to providing that support and creating a new normal in the community around what age is okay to use social media
“Platforms have a responsibility to provide safe products and look after the mental health of young Australians
“We need to create a strong incentive for compliance and increasing the maximum penalties for online safety breaches to up to $49.5 million brings our penalty framework into line with other laws.
“Keeping children safe – wherever they are – is a collective responsibility, and the Albanese Government is stepping up to play our role
“I want to thank our state and territory colleagues and everyone who has made a contribution to bring this important Bill to life.”