The Australian government has recently introduced a draft of new laws aimed at holding tech giants like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram accountable for their responsibilities towards users under ۱۸. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated: "In response to community demands, we have acted. We will no longer allow Australian children to be treated as commodities."
New Responsibilities for Social Media
Under these new laws, social media companies will be required to protect children from explicit content, online abuse, content that promotes crime, and also content that leads to eating disorders. This draft legislation follows a global ban on the use of social media for individuals under ۱۶, which was implemented in Australia early last year.
According to these laws, companies may face fines of up to AUD ۱۰۹ million (equivalent to USD ۷۸ million) for failing to meet their responsibilities. Additionally, these laws include a requirement for users to have the option to disable powerful algorithms that determine the content displayed in social feeds.
Response to Criticism and Increased Oversight
Communications Minister Anika Wells referred to tech giants as "serious adversaries" and stated: "Their platforms and tools have infiltrated our daily lives in ways we never imagined; some of them are positive, but some have deadly consequences." Despite existing bans, data shows that the use of social apps like Instagram and TikTok among individuals under ۱۶ in Australia is on the rise.
This draft legislation is set to be presented to Parliament this year, and consultations will be held with social media companies, industry bodies, and civil society groups. This move not only reflects a commitment to the mental health of children but could also mark a turning point in how technology interacts with society.
