Sydney, LOGIC.co.id – On Thursday (November 28, 2024), Australia officially passed a law banning social media use for children under 16 years old. This decision follows a lengthy debate that divided public opinion and sets a new global benchmark for technology regulation. The law positions Australia as one of the most stringent nations in regulating major tech companies.
The ban mandates that tech giants, including Meta (owner of Instagram and Facebook) and TikTok, prevent children under 16 from accessing their platforms. Companies found violating the law could face fines of up to A$49.5 million (approximately Rp498 billion). Age verification methods will be piloted starting January 2025, with full enforcement expected a year later.
New Regulations to Protect Children
The Minimum Age for Social Media Act establishes Australia as a role model for other nations considering similar regulations. Some countries, such as France and certain U.S. states, have restricted social media access for children without parental consent. However, Australia’s ban is absolute, unlike Florida’s regulations, which are currently facing legal challenges on free speech grounds.
Public Support and Heated Debate
This move marks a political victory for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ahead of the 2025 elections, despite his declining popularity in polls. A recent survey revealed that 77% of Australians support the ban, though it has faced criticism from privacy advocates and children’s rights groups.
During parliamentary inquiries throughout 2024, many parents testified about the detrimental effects of social media on their children’s mental health, including cyberbullying cases that led to self-harm. Domestic media, particularly Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, backed the law with a campaign slogan: “Let Them Be Kids.”
However, the ban risks straining Australia’s relations with its key ally, the United States. Elon Musk, owner of platform X (formerly Twitter) and a prominent figure in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, called the law “a covert way to control internet access for all Australians.”
Challenges and Responses from Tech Companies
Meta, the owner of Facebook, respected Australia’s decision but criticized the legislative process as rushed. According to a Meta spokesperson, the government failed to adequately consider existing evidence and the industry’s efforts to create age-appropriate experiences.
TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), which are also affected by the ban, have yet to issue official statements. Meanwhile, YouTube, a subsidiary of Google, is exempt from the regulation due to its widespread use in schools.
Sunita Bose, director of the Digital Industry Group, representing various social media platforms, called the law premature. “We have a law, but no clear guidance from the government on proper age verification methods,” she said.
Public Reactions: Pros and Cons
Some child advocacy groups and academics are concerned that the regulation might disconnect vulnerable children, such as LGBTQIA teens and migrants, from their support networks. The Australian Human Rights Commission also warned that the law could potentially infringe on children’s rights to participate in society.
On the other hand, parent groups welcomed the regulation as an essential first step toward protecting children. They referenced U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s 2023 statement that social media exacerbates the mental health crisis among teenagers.
“Setting an age limit and returning control to parents is a crucial first step,” said Ali Halkic, an anti-bullying advocate who lost his son to cyberbullying.
However, teenagers themselves remain skeptical about the ban’s effectiveness. Enie Lam, a 16-year-old student from Sydney, argued that the regulation would only push young people toward harder-to-monitor platforms.
“This won’t achieve the desired effect,” Enie said. “We know social media isn’t good for us, but many teens still oppose this ban.”
