There will be no exemptions to the age limit for children who have obtained parental consent, and the government says the onus will be on social media platforms to show they are taking reasonable steps to prevent access.
Albanese also clarified that there will be no fines for users, and that enforcement of the laws will be the responsibility of Australia’s Internet regulator, the Electronic Security Commissioner.
The law will enter into force 12 months after its enactment and will be subject to review after its enactment.
Some experts have criticized social media bans as ineffective, saying they only delay young people’s access to social media, rather than teaching them how to navigate complex online spaces.
Previous attempts to enforce the bans, including by the European Union, have largely failed or proved difficult, given that tools exist to circumvent age verification requirements.
