Australia's ban on under-16s using social media has caused an international stir after the world-first legislation made it through the Senate on Thursday.
The bill, passed during the final day of Parliament of the year, is set to come into effect by the end of 2025 and will require platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook to block children and younger teenagers from accessing their services. Individual companies face $50 million fines for failing to comply.
Internationally, news sites including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Independent in Britain, and Russia's state-run TASS agency covered the law's passage. Zurich-based newspaper Blick excitedly ran a response from Communications Minister Michelle Rowland following the bill's passing.
'The land of kangaroos has just passed a bill to fine social networks that tolerate accounts opened by children to the tune of millions. Blick asked the Australian Minister of Communications how and why it was urgent to act. And Michelle Rowland answered us!'
'This reform is about protecting young people and reassuring parents that we are on their side,' insists the honourable politician, according to the Australian denomination.
The UK's technology secretary, Peter Kyle, last week told BBC that Australia's motion could sway him to lobby for similar laws in Britain.
'I'm in touch with legislators in Australia,' Mr Kyle said. 'As you'd expect, I'm really interested in what they're doing, why they're doing it, and the evidence they're basing it on.'
The UK's Independent hoped Australia would act as a guinea pig for world legislators.
'[It] sets Australia up as a test case for a growing number of governments which have legislated or have said they plan to legislate an age restriction on social media,' their article read.
Russia's TASS agency noted that Kremlin had already banned Instagram and Facebook which have been 'recognised as extremist'.
Some outlets emphasized critics' concerns. Major Hindi paper Amar Ujala cited Greens Senator David Shoebridge warning 'children from rural areas and LGBTQ community wouldn't benefit from this plan.'
'They hoped government would conduct another study on it which would tell how children can be kept out of social media in right way,' paper read.
Spanish paper El Mundo echoed concerns that 'technology companies recognize they don't yet know how to verify age of users'.
Australia has imposed sweeping ban on social media for children under 16 one world's most comprehensive measures aimed at safeguarding young people from potential hazards online but many details were still unclear such as how will be enforced what platforms will covered," reported New York Times.
The Wall Street Journal labelled it "one world's most restrictive social media bans".
"Communications Minister Michelle Rowland vowed bill support parents concerned about harms children"
Press Agency Reuters interviewed youth across Europe about legislation met variety responses.
"I not like happen Spain," 12-year-old Spanish student said.
"They should done demonstration because very crazy."
A 20-year-old waiter Rome disagreed."It's initiative makes lot sense Australia one bring here save next generation," he said
TikTok Chinese owner ByteDance urged further consultation federal Coalition supported policy argued Labor rushed legislation.
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The Albanese government said new legislation require implementation age-verification technology details vague far.
"Bill placed verification social media companies themselves.Age-limit highest any international regulation won't allow exemptions - including parents."
However Australians skirt rules face no penalties under legislation.Last year France announced thhat social media companies verify age users those under years looking use apps like TikTok obtain parental consent.South Korea implemented laws targeting video game addiction preventing those playing online games between pm am later repealed China's Cyberspace Administration announced similar laws using identity verification facial recognition technology restrict youth access video games global problem want young Australians essentially childhood Prime Minister Albanese last week want parents peace mind.