Australia has recently made a watershed moment in the protection of children’s online safety by passing an unprecedented law banning access to social media by minors under the age of 16.
This legislative initiative is the first step in the strict regulation of the digital environment for young generations.
Mechanisms of law and global impact
The bill was passed 34 to 19 in the Senate, and in the House of Representatives it received endorsement with an overwhelming majority, 102 votes in favor and only 13 against.
The law itself has transferred direct responsibility to the tech giants, and requires them to implement concrete measures to prevent access by children under 16.
Platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram are targeted. The amendments provide for substantial fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (nearly 31 million euros) for companies that do not comply with these regulations.
Companies have a period of one year to implement this control.
Protection or isolation?
On the one hand, supporters of the law, such as online safety activists and parents who have lost children in tragic circumstances, see this intervention as a crucial protective measure.
Painful cases, such as the suicide of a teenager following digital sex blackmail, have fueled the arguments of those who want strict regulation.
What risks does the second scenario entail?
On the other hand, mental health experts and representatives of vulnerable communities raise questions.
Organizations that support the rights of LGBTQIA+ youth and communities in rural areas highlight the risk of social isolation.
Their main argument is that online platforms are often the only spaces of connection and support for marginalized teenagers.
Technology, politics and personal choices
The Australian decision intersects with global political and technological dynamics. At least for now, the companies are against it: from their point of view, implementation will be difficult.
Some politicians see in this law an electoral strategy designed to gain the sympathy of parents.
International effects
Australia is the first country to make social media platforms pay for content shared by the media.
There are, however, fears that the new measure could also have a negative impact on Australia’s international relations with countries that are more permissive about the use of social media, for example the US.
Despite the differences, around 77% of Australians agreed with the ban.
Source: www.go4it.ro
