Australia passes world-first legislation banning children from using social media – with tech giants set to face $50M fines if they don’t adhere to the strict new rules

Australians aged under-16 will be banned from social media by the end of next year after federal parliament passed world-first legislation.

The Senate passed laws to ban children from platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to ‘protect their mental health’ late Thursday night on the final of parliament sitting day for 2024.

The move comes despite concerns the proposal was rushed through parliament without proper scrutiny, given Australia would be the first country to implement such a ban.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the age limit would keep children and teens safe online.

‘We know parents are concerned about the harms to children and we have taken a decision to support them,’ she told parliament.

‘Keeping Australians safe online requires decisive action and the Albanese government is delivering exactly that.’

Critics of the bill claim there was little consultation. An inquiry into the new laws ran for just three hours, with Aussies only given one day to lodge submissions. 

Under the legislation, social media giants will face fines up to $50million if they fail to take ‘reasonable steps’ to keep children under the age of 16 from their platforms.

New laws to enforce age limits on social media were passed by the Senate late on Thursday night (pictured, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese)

There are no penalties for parents or children who break the age restrictions. 

‘Messaging apps’, ‘online gaming services’ and ‘services with the primary purpose of supporting the health and education of end-users’ are not included in the ban. 

YouTube has also been omitted. 

While the bill enjoyed bipartisan support, several Coalition members broke ranks on the issues over concerns that bans on social media were an unjustified restriction on speech and communication, and paved the way to broader censorship. 

Coalition senators Matt Canavan and Alex Antic crossed the floor to vote with the entire crossbench against the laws on Thursday night while Liberal Richard Colbeck abstained.

Under the new laws, social media giants will face fines up to $50million for failing to take ‘reasonable steps’ to keep children under the age of 16 from their platforms

Liberal MP Bridget Archer broke from her party earlier this week to vote against the bill on Wednesday.

The decision to pass the bill followed an hour-long debate with crossbenchers questioning the major parties over the controversial rule.

Suicide Prevention Australia executive director Christopher Stone said the laws had been rushed and would not address the issues of bullying and predation as the government had claimed.

‘The government is running blindfolded into a brick wall by rushing this legislation,’ he said.

‘It has bypassed the rigorous consultation and scrutiny needed for such a far-reaching decision.

‘Young Australians deserve evidence-based policies, not decisions made in haste.

‘This legislation fails to consider the positive aspects of social media in supporting young people’s mental health and sense of connection.’