Technology companies Google and Facebook’s parent company, Meta Platforms, have called on the Australian government to delay a proposed law to ban social media access by children under 16. The companies said they need more time to weigh the law’s potential consequences.
The Albanese government, which is center-left in its orientation, wants to enact the bill one of the strictest child social media control measures globally before the parliamentary year concludes on Thursday. The legislation was introduced just last week, having faced criticism for its hasty progression, as public submissions were allowed for just one day.
A new legislation has sparked controversy, as it requires social media platforms to verify users’ ages using systems such as biometrics or government identification. According to Google and Meta, the approach will require additional study, citing that an ongoing age-verification trial should be completed before the law is passed.
What does Meta say on Australian government’s ban on social media for children under 16?
“Without these results, neither the industry nor Australians can fully understand the scale and impact of the measures,” Meta noted in calling the legislation “inconsistent and ineffective.
The law would require full responsibility for age verification to be placed on the platforms by imposing significant breaches of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million). Critics, including independent lawmakers, have pointed out that the government rushed the process and failed to allow full consultation with stakeholders.
Social media company TikTok voiced strong concern that the bill was ambiguous and did not involve any consultation with experts, mental health organizations, and youth groups. “Legislation must be carefully drafted to achieve its goals, and this has not happened here,” a TikTok spokesperson commented.
Elon Musk’s X also weighed in, arguing that the legislation might violate children’s rights regarding free speech and information access. For his part, openly pro-free speech billionaire businessman Elon Musk criticized the legislation recently, describing it as an avenue for government control of the internet.
A Senate committee report on the bill is expected in the near future, but industry players are urging more dialogue and a considered approach before advancing the contentious legislation.
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