In a landmark move, Australia has passed legislation requiring individuals under 16 to obtain parental consent before accessing social media platforms. The world-first law places tech companies under stringent scrutiny to enforce compliance, marking a new era of online safety regulations.
Under the legislation, social media platforms must verify users’ ages and secure parental approval for minors. Companies failing to comply face hefty fines, potentially amounting to millions of dollars.
“Australia is setting a global standard for protecting children online,” said Communications Minister Michelle Rowland. “This law ensures young people are shielded from harmful content while giving parents more control over their digital presence.”
The law has sparked widespread reactions, with supporters praising it as a necessary step to curb cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and excessive screen time among minors. Critics, however, argue it raises privacy concerns and could lead to difficulties in enforcing age verification.
Tech giants, including Meta and TikTok, have expressed concerns over the feasibility of the law. “We support safer online environments for young users, but the implementation challenges of this regulation cannot be ignored,” a Meta spokesperson stated.
Australia’s bold move is likely to set a precedent for other nations grappling with balancing online freedoms and child safety. Observers will be watching closely as the law takes effect in the coming months.
