《Economic Information Daily, 20th Special Report》Australia's Minister for Communications, Anika Wells, said on Monday (19th) that Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube may not have complied with Australia's ban on social media use by those under 16, and that the Australian government is preparing to initiate legal action.
Australia introduced the world's first such ban in December last year, prohibiting children under 16 from owning or using major social media accounts. However, a July report from Australia's online safety regulator, eSafety, indicated that social platforms lack effective age verification mechanisms, allowing most underage users to retain their accounts or create new ones.
The Australian government has doubled the maximum penalty to 109.2 million Australian dollars (76 million US dollars). The government has also granted eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant expanded investigative powers, including the authority to require social media platforms to provide documents and to summon current or former employees to answer questions. (rc)
Australia introduced the world's first such ban in December last year, prohibiting children under 16 from owning or using major social media accounts. However, a July report from Australia's online safety regulator, eSafety, indicated that social platforms lack effective age verification mechanisms, allowing most underage users to retain their accounts or create new ones.
The Australian government has doubled the maximum penalty to 109.2 million Australian dollars (76 million US dollars). The government has also granted eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant expanded investigative powers, including the authority to require social media platforms to provide documents and to summon current or former employees to answer questions. (rc)
