Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized senators for delaying amendments to a social media ban for children under 16, fearing tech companies might destroy evidence. The proposed changes would enhance the eSafety Commissioner’s authority to demand documents from platforms like Facebook and YouTube, which have been required to exclude young users since December. The amendments, stalled by an eight-week Senate inquiry, would also increase fines for non-compliance to 99 million Australian dollars. Critics argue the law is ineffective and needs strengthening. The initial legislation, passed in 2024, led to the removal or restriction of over 5 million children’s accounts. This development is closely watched by other countries considering similar measures.
QUESTION: How might the delay in implementing these amendments impact the effectiveness of online safety measures for children?
Australian prime minister condemns delay of changes to child social media ban
