tech
Australia toughens kids' social media ban, doubles potential penalties for tech firms
eSafety is actively investigating possible non-compliance by five platforms: Meta's Instagram and Facebook, Google's YouTube, Snap's Snapchat, and TikTok.
TL;DR
- Australia will double the maximum penalty for tech firms failing to uphold a social media ban for children under 16 to A$99 million.
- The government will strengthen the information-gathering powers of the eSafety Commissioner.
- Five platforms are under investigation for potential non-compliance: Meta's Instagram and Facebook, Google's YouTube, Snap's Snapchat, and TikTok.
- Studies indicate that age-assurance mechanisms are easily circumvented, and many children were never asked to prove their age.
- Despite the ban, 85% of Australians aged 12-15 were still using social media three months after it took effect.
- Reddit is challenging the ban in court on free speech grounds.