Australians could be imprisoned for up to two years for posting videos that “glorify” crime online in a bill introduced to parliament
The Coalition has introduced a new plan that could put offenders behind bars for up to two years for posting videos that “glorify crime”.
Social
Don't miss out on the headlines from Social. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Albanese government is under pressure to take “action now” to deal with social media activity that “glorifies crime”, as the Coalition calls for it to back a Bill that would crackdown on rising online harms.
Labor says they will consider the Coalition’s “post and boast” bill which was introduced to parliament on Monday.
If passed, it would make the publication of criminal activity online a Commonwealth offence, punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment.
The legislation would also allow courts to ban users from social media for up to two years, and would provide the eSafety Commissioner with special powers to take down material published.
During question time on Monday, the Coalition's communications spokesman David Coleman asked Communications Minister Michelle Rowland whether the government would support the Bill.
Ms Rowland said the “top priority of this government is keeping Australians safe” and would consider the Bill, but stressed there were already powers in the eSafety Act that dealt with the issue.
“The government shares concerns that young offenders are using social media to spruik their criminal activities online,” she said.
“We know that new and emerging harms are occurring right now.”
Mr Coleman said the government needed to pledge their support now.
“While the minister has said the government would consider our bill, we need action now, not just words,” he said.
“Australians are sick and tired of these shocking crime-based videos. It’s happening in houses and streets across the country.
“Every day that passes without these tough laws is another day when these thugs don’t face the risk of jail time for their despicable acts.”
It comes as a growing trend has emerged of teens posting criminal acts on social media, including violence, drug and property offences.
Speaking to parliament on Monday, Mr Coleman mentioned a video from Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula that captured a group of teens allegedly pushing an elderly man off a pier.
The group laughed and celebrated after the incident, with one heard saying: “Yeah the boys”.
The man, unable to swim, was rescued by bystanders, as Mornington MP Chris Crewther said he was left “highly shaken and traumatised” by the event.
“It’s absolutely disgraceful, it is happening all around the country and the Albanese government has done precisely nothing about it,” Mr Coleman told parliament on Monday.
He said “every one of these videos (has) a victim”, saying crime videos on social media is “out of control”.
“We’ve seen terrible examples of videos of thugs invading people’s homes at night and of terrified occupants being confronted and accosted by criminals,” Mr Coleman said.
“Often this is being done for ‘likes’ on social media. It’s completely unacceptable and it’s got to stop.
“We want to give police the additional legal weapons they need to support them in their fight to combat this shocking trend.”
Shadow Attorney-General Michaelia Cash said youth crime is “out of control”, with this “extremely disturbing trend” glamorising violence and criminal activity.
“Social media notoriety has become a driver of crime in our suburbs,” she said.
Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson called it “groundbreaking legislation which would help break the cycle of youth crime”.
Originally published as Australians could be imprisoned for up to two years for posting videos that “glorify” crime online in a bill introduced to parliament
UK’s move to follow Australia’s social media bans
The British government is taking action that will likely see it follow in the footsteps of Anthony Albanese and implement social media age bans for children aged under 16.
Another social media platform to be banned
There has been a twist in Australia’s world-first reforms to restrict teenagers’ social media use after fears a messaging service could find a loophole.