Detail in new social media ban law that has Aussies talking

A new law is coming in December this year, and Aussies all have the same question over one detail.

Australia’s incoming social media ban for children under 16 has got people talking this week as more details emerge about the world-leading policy.

The ban aims to block children under 16 from using Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat and Reddit when it is introduced in December.

As the date approaches, more details are being released about how it will be enforced, and one particular detail shared by Australia’s eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant has caught Aussies’ attention.

“I should be clear that there will no penalties for those underage children who gain access to an age-restricted social media platform, or for their parents or carers who may enable this earlier access,” Dr Inman Grant told the National Press Club earlier this week.

She said that rather than penalising children who breach the ban, there would be “heavy penalties” for companies that allow such breaches.

“Companies who fail to take reasonable steps to prevent underage account holders onto their services (face penalties) of up to $49.5 million per breach,” she said.

“This world-leading legislation seeks to shift the burden of reducing harm away from parents and carers and back onto the companies themselves - the companies who own and run these platforms and profit from Australian children.”

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said she wanted to be clear about how the new ban will be enforced. Picture: National Press Club

She said there would be ‘no penalties’ for underage children who gain access to age restricted platforms. Picture: National Press Club

Dr Inman Grant’s comments went viral with Australians immediately questioning how the ban can be effective if there are no consequences for the children it affects, or their parents.

When news.com.au hit the streets in Sydney to ask Aussies their thoughts, there was some agreement the buck should stop with the tech companies, but many had the same question as commenters online.

“Can you flip it around and put the consequences on the companies that are meant to ensure these children aren’t on there?” said one Sydney man.

When asked if he thought under-16s should be on social media, the same man didn’t even have to think about it.

“Definitely not! But I’m sure kids under 16 wouldn’t say that,” he said.

The main response was ‘probably not’ across the board. Picture: News.com.au

The young couple said they didn’t think teenagers would obey. Picture: News.com.au

A trendy couple stopped to chat and admitted neither could see how the ban will work without consequences for users, rather than just the tech platforms.

“Probably not here in Australia, everyone’s got free will, I wouldn’t anyway,” the man admitted.

Asked whether they thought children would adhere to the police, others simply said, “No.”

Meanwhile, a mum said while she planned to “delay” her children from getting on social media for as long as possible, she ultimately thinks that responsibility is on parents, not the government.

“I feel it could have limited reach, it is such a massive issue. For our family it will be managed at home,” she explained.

Interestingly, one woman who stopped to weigh in said that, with or without penalties, she just doesn’t think it’ll work.

“I don’t think any laws work. I don’t think people respond well to control. They should have anatomy and we should trust them,” she said.

Aussies were very much in agreement on the subject. Picture: News.com.au

Aussies weren’t convinced the law would work … although most though kids aren’t 16 shouldn’t be on social media. Picture: News.com.au

Announcing the social media ban last year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese explained the policy was intended to make tech companies “clean up their act”, rather than punish kids.

“We know social media is doing harm,” Mr Albanese said.

“We want Australian children to have a childhood, and we want parents to know the Government is in their corner.

“This is a landmark reform. We know some kids will find workarounds, but we’re sending a message to social media companies to clean up their act.”

The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese has backed the social media ban. Picture: Patrick Gee/NewsWire,

Mr Albanese has claimed the law will encourage “better outcomes and less harm” for young Australians.

“One of the things I want to see is young Australians, older too, having conversations with each other,” he said, adding the government had a “responsibility to act” after speaking with parents who have lost their children because of bullying on social media.

“I’ve met with parents who have lost and buried a child, it’s devastating,” he said.

“We can’t, as a government, hear those messages from parents and say ‘It’s too hard’. We have a responsibility to act, my government has done that.”

Ms Dober explained the toll of social media on young people. Picture: Instagram/CarlyDober

Psychologist Carly Dober told news.com.au said that young people under 16 using social media can result in “harm”, and a ban will be helpful.

“Social media-fuelled comparisons and unreal expectations can contribute to depression, anxiety and disordered eating behaviours with young people,” she said.

“We are all impacted by the infinite scroll on social media that impacts our attention spans and ability to concentrate.

“The ban will also prevent young people from being exposed to potentially radicalising content, however if this content is online after they turn 16 then this is still a huge concern.”