Australia passes world's first social media ban for children under 16
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A smartphone with various social media apps on the display. Photo: Alicia Windzio/picture alliance via Getty Images
Australia's parliament on Thursday became the first in the world to pass a social media ban for children under 16, multiple outlets reported.
Why it matters: It's a major win for advocates who have long warned social media is harming teens' mental health and attention spans, and could serve as a model for other countries around the world.
Driving the news: Australia's Senate voted 34-19 Thursday to approve the legislation, AP reported.
- The bill was passed overwhelmingly a day earlier by Australia's House of Representatives, in a 102-13 vote.
- Next, the Australian House of Representatives must endorse the amendments made in the Senate, but this step is considered a mere formality, per AP.
Zoom in: The bill advanced even as Google and Meta urged the Australian government earlier this week to delay the legislation pending more information about an age-verification trial.
The big picture: The bill was introduced last week, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling it a "landmark reform," Reuters reported.
- The law calls for social media platforms — not parents or children — to take steps to ensure age-verification protections are in place, per Reuters.
- Companies that don't comply could be fined up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for failing to keep children from holding accounts.
- Once it becomes law, social media platforms will have one year to figure out how to implement the age restriction, per AP.
State of play: Australia isn't the only country looking to crack down on social media use for young teens.
- U.K. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle told the BBC earlier this month that a similar ban for children under 16 was "on the table" in the U.K.
- In the U.S., Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill earlier this year limiting social media access for users under 16.
- U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called on Congress to require social media platforms to display warning labels alerting users to potential mental health harms.
Go deeper: Social media's effects on teen mental health come into focus
