The Australian Senate has passed a landmark law prohibiting children under the age of 16 from creating social media accounts without parental consent
It makes it one of the world’s most stringent social media regulations.
The new legislation is set to take effect in November 2025.
It is designed to enhance online safety for minors by addressing concerns over data privacy, cyberbullying, and inappropriate content exposure.
Also, social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit, and X will now be mandated to implement advanced age-verification
Companies failing to comply with these regulations could face hefty fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (£25 million).
Also, the legislation grants a one-year grace period.
The platforms are expected to develop and deploy robust systems capable of verifying users’ ages,
It will also ensure underage individuals cannot create accounts.
Furthermore, the move shows Australia’s commitment to safeguarding young users in the digital space.
Lawmakers and child advocacy groups have expressed hope that the policy will set a global precedent.
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However, they are encouraging other nations to adopt stricter online protections for minors.
The legislation has been widely praised by parents, educators, and child safety advocates who believe it will play a crucial role in creating a safer online environment.