Social media giants on Friday hit out at a landmark Australian law banning them from signing up under-16s, describing it as a rush job littered with “many unanswered questions”.
The UN children’s charity UNICEF Australia joined the fray, warning that it was no “silver bullet” and could push kids into “covert and unregulated” spaces online.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the ban may not be implemented perfectly — much like existing alcohol restrictions — but it was “the right thing to do”.
The crackdown on sites like Facebook, Instagram and X, approved by parliament late Thursday, will lead to “better outcomes and less harm for young Australians”, he told reporters.
Platforms have a “social responsibility” to make children’s safety a priority, the prime minister said.
“We’ve got your back, is our message to Australian parents.”
Social media firms that fail to comply with the law face fines of up to Aus$50 million (US$32.5 million).
Meta owner of Facebook and Instagram and other companies said that despite the law’s perceived shortcomings, they were keen to engage with the government on shaping how it would be implemented in 12 months.
“We are concerned about the process, which rushed the legislation through while failing to properly consider the evidence, what industry already does to ensure age-appropriate experiences, and the voices of young people,” Meta said in a statement.
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