In a world-first move, the Australian Senate has passed legislation that will ban children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X, and Instagram. The Bill, which passed the Senate with 34 votes in favour and 19 against, holds social media platforms liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (£26 million) if they fail to prevent children under 16 from creating accounts.

On Wednesday, the legislation had already passed the House of Representatives by a wide margin, with 102 votes in favour and just 13 against. Although the House has yet to endorse amendments made in the Senate, this is expected to be a formality, as the government has already agreed to pass the changes. Platforms will have one year to implement the ban before penalties are enforced.

The amendments, which strengthen privacy protections, prohibit platforms from requiring users to provide government-issued identification, such as passports or driver’s licences, or digital identification via government systems. The House is scheduled to pass these amendments on Friday.

While the major political parties support the new law, it has faced significant criticism. Critics argue that banning children under 16 from social media could have unintended consequences, especially for vulnerable children who rely on these platforms for support. Mental health experts, as well as some child welfare advocates, are concerned that the ban could isolate young people, particularly in regional communities and marginalized groups like the LGBTQI community.

Senator David Shoebridge from the Greens party voiced concerns that the policy would harm vulnerable young people, who may lose access to vital online support networks. He emphasized that the policy would disproportionately affect children in rural and regional areas.

On the other hand, Opposition Senator Maria Kovacic argued that the legislation is not radical but necessary. “The core focus of this legislation is simple: It demands that social media companies take reasonable steps to identify and remove underage users from their platforms,” she said, criticizing platforms for failing to act sooner in the interests of children’s safety.

There is also concern that the government’s push for the law is politically motivated. Some believe the government is using the policy to bolster its standing ahead of the general election, scheduled for May, and to show that it is addressing public concerns about children’s addiction to social media. However, opponents argue that the law was rushed through Parliament without adequate scrutiny, may be ineffective, and poses significant privacy risks. They also contend that it undermines parents’ authority to make decisions for their children.

Despite the controversy, the government remains determined to move forward with the legislation, and the House is expected to pass the amendments on Friday. The law is set to be enforced in the coming year, with the aim of protecting young users from potential harm on social media platforms.