New Legislation Aims to Protect Young Australians Online
The Australian Government has unveiled the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, enforcing a minimum age of 16 for social media use. This landmark legislation prioritizes the safety of young Australians during key developmental stages by placing the responsibility on platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram to prevent under-16s from creating accounts.
The law allows continued access to essential health, education, and messaging services while imposing strict privacy measures. Platforms will be required to destroy any collected data to safeguard users’ information. Hefty penalties, including fines of up to $49.5 million, will be enforced for systemic safety breaches.
Developed through extensive consultations with youth, parents, and experts, the Bill reflects a broader effort to hold digital platforms accountable for user safety. This initiative aims to adapt to evolving technologies and ensure robust online protections.