Underage users who defy the Albanese Government’s pending social media age restriction will not be penalised, while platforms that can prove they are at low risk of harming children may be exempted. Source: The Australian.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland says companies will bear the responsibility for ensuring age limits are followed, as the Government gears up for its fight to get young teens off damaging social media platforms.
The new details of the legislation, which will be introduced to Parliament later this year, will be detailed at the New South Wales and South Australian government’s joint Social Media Summit today.
“The key principle of the Commonwealth’s legislative approach is to place the onus on platforms, not parents or young people,” Ms Rowland will tell the summit.
“Penalties for users will not feature in our legislative design.
“Instead, it will be incumbent on the platforms to demonstrate they are taking reasonable steps to ensure fundamental protections are in place at the source.”
While the Government has yet to confirm the age limit, which will likely be between 14 to 16, Ms Rowland will say the aim of the legislation is for social media companies to develop “develop age-appropriate versions of their apps”.
Apps deemed to be “low risk of harm to children” could also be exempt from the sweeping age limit, however the Government is still considering that provision.
Companies will also be given a 12-month implementation time frame to adapt and implement the necessary new rules.
While Friday’s announcement will not contain details on punishments for social media platforms who flout the rules, Ms Rowland called on companies so exercise “social responsibility” over young users.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called on state premiers and territory chiefs for their opinion on their proffered age cut-off, and whether federal laws should grandfather arrangements for teens with existing accounts.
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Underage teens will not be penalised for accessing social media after age ban (By Jessica Wang, The Australian)
