Key Takeaways
- The Australian government has issued a "please explain" notice to social media apps Lemon8 and Yope, signaling they may be captured by new laws restricting social media use to Australians aged over 16.
- Ten platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, are confirmed to be part of the ban, which takes effect on December 10.
- The government expects it will take time to filter out existing accounts and stop new accounts from being created, but warns that any company allowing underage users will be breaking the law.
- The ban aims to give generation alpha a break from the persuasive and pervasive pull of social media, which can have negative effects on their mental health and well-being.
- Regulation will be an ongoing process, with platforms required to constantly monitor and report on their compliance with the new laws.
Introduction to the Social Media Ban
The Australian government has taken a significant step towards regulating social media use among minors, with a new law set to take effect on December 10. The law restricts social media use to Australians aged over 16, and ten major platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, are confirmed to be part of the ban. However, two social media apps, Lemon8 and Yope, have been issued a "please explain" notice by the online safety regulator, signaling they may also be captured by the new laws. Lemon8, which is owned by TikTok parent company ByteDance, and Yope, a photo-sharing app, have been surging in popularity as alternatives to circumvent the age ban.
The Role of the eSafety Commission
The eSafety Commission has written to Lemon8 and Yope, recommending they self-assess to determine if they fall under the new laws. The commission has also published assessments of the ten major online services, providing greater certainty for Australian families and industry. However, the commission is reminding the broader online industry that all services are obliged to comply with the law, and must continually assess whether they meet the definition of an age-restricted social media platform. If they do, they must take reasonable steps to ensure users under 16 do not hold an account. The eSafety Commission plays a crucial role in regulating social media use among minors, and its efforts will be closely watched as the new law takes effect.
The Government’s Expectations
Communications Minister Anika Wells will use a speech at the National Press Club in Canberra to warn that there will probably be children aged under 16 with social media accounts for "some time" after December 10. With almost 86 per cent of Australian children aged between eight and 15 on social media, the government accepts it will take time to filter out existing accounts and stop new accounts from being created. However, Ms. Wells will emphasize that any company allowing underage users will be breaking the law, and the government will not let platforms off the hook. The government’s expectations are clear: social media companies must take responsibility for ensuring their platforms are not used by minors.
The Impact on Generation Alpha
Ms. Wells will compare the social pressures faced by generation X and millennials, compared to the current generation alpha. Targeted algorithms, persistent notifications, and toxic popularity meters are stealing their attention for hours every day, and the government believes it is essential to give gen alpha a break from the persuasive and pervasive pull of social media. The ban aims to protect minors from the potential negative effects of social media on their mental health and well-being. By restricting social media use to Australians aged over 16, the government hopes to create a safer online environment for young people.
Regulation and Compliance
The regulation of social media use among minors will be an ongoing process, with platforms required to constantly monitor and report on their compliance with the new laws. Ms. Wells will warn that regulation "rarely acts fast", and Australians should not expect platforms to be slapped with $49.5 million fines for non-compliance immediately. Instead, the eSafety Commission will send notices to the ten platforms on the dynamic list, seeking evidence of their compliance, including the number of underage accounts they had before and after the law started. Platforms will have time to reply before the next round of information requests are sent out, asking for updated figures every six months. The government will closely monitor the compliance of social media companies, and take action against those that fail to meet the new regulations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Australian government’s new law restricting social media use to Australians aged over 16 is a significant step towards regulating social media use among minors. The law aims to give generation alpha a break from the persuasive and pervasive pull of social media, and protect them from potential negative effects on their mental health and well-being. While the regulation of social media use among minors will be an ongoing process, the government is clear in its expectations: social media companies must take responsibility for ensuring their platforms are not used by minors. The eSafety Commission will play a crucial role in monitoring compliance, and taking action against companies that fail to meet the new regulations. As the law takes effect on December 10, it will be essential to closely watch the developments and see how social media companies respond to the new regulations.
