Google, Meta urge Australian govt to delay bill restricting minors from using social media

The owners of Facebook and Google, Meta Platforms, urged the Australian government on Nov 26 to postpone a bill that would prohibit minors under 16 years of age from using most social media platforms, arguing that more time was required to evaluate the potential effects.

By the end of the parliamentary year on Nov 28, the center-left government of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese aims to enact the bill, which would impose some of the strictest restrictions on children's social media use of any country.

The law was introduced to parliament last week and was open for public submissions for only one day.

In their arguments, Google and Meta suggested that the government should delay action until the results of an age-verification study are presented.

To implement a social media age cutoff, the age-verification method could involve official identity or biometrics.

"In the absence of such results, neither the industry nor Australians will understand the nature or scale of age assurance required by the bill, nor the impact of such measures on Australians," Meta said.

"In its present form, the bill is inconsistent and ineffective," it added.

Social media companies, rather than parents or children, would be required by law to take reasonable measures to ensure age-verification safeguards are in place.

Systemic violations could result in fines of up to AUD $49.5 million (USD $32 million) for companies.

Although several independent lawmakers have argued that the government is rushing the process in just one week, the opposition Liberal Party is likely to support the bill.

On Nov 26, a Senate committee that oversees communications legislation is expected to present its findings.

According to ByteDance's TikTok, the government's plan to adopt the bill without thorough coordination with experts, social media platforms, mental health organizations, and young people raised "significant concerns," and the bill lacked clarity.

"Where novel policy is put forward, it's important that legislation is drafted in a thorough and considered way, to ensure it is able to achieve its stated aims. This has not been the case with respect to this Bill," TikTok said.

Concerns were also raised by Elon Musk's X, stating that the bill could have a detrimental effect on children's and youths' human rights, such as their freedom of speech and access to information.