eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant emphasized her agency's role in enforcing new social media regulations for Australians under 16 while reaffirming a focus on public safety, not individual figures like Elon Musk.
Enforcement of Social Media Ban
Inman-Grant confirmed her agency's commitment to implementing the Parliament’s impending ban on under-16s using social media platforms. Companies failing to comply could face fines up to AUD 49.5 million (USD 32.3 million).
"My role is to enforce the laws set by Parliament," she stated on ABC Radio on Nov. 25. The commissioner stressed the importance of national consistency in such legislation and ensuring the implementation safeguards the rights of children, particularly those who are marginalized or vulnerable.
"We will prioritize children’s rights, including their ability to communicate and express themselves safely online," she added.
Global Collaboration on Online Safety
Following a 10-day European visit with 30 online safety regulators, Inman-Grant advocated for "safety by design" principles to be integrated into platforms. These measures aim to make platforms inherently safer for users.
"Platforms have been slow to act meaningfully on safety, especially for children," she remarked, emphasizing the need for transparent algorithms that don’t drive harmful engagement patterns.
Broader Context of Regulation
The Australian government’s social media ban targets platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X, but excludes YouTube and messaging apps due to their different user engagement dynamics. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland noted that while risks exist on messaging apps, the absence of algorithmic content curation makes them less concerning.
Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman supported the ban, asserting the Coalition’s commitment to finalize the legislation. However, Coalition members, including Senators Matt Canavan and Alex Antic, raised questions about the implementation of age verification processes.
“All users will need to verify their age, even though the restriction is only for under-16s,” Canavan noted in a Nov. 25 post on X.
Legislative Developments
The bill, introduced on Nov. 21, was referred to a Senate committee for review, with a report due by Nov. 26. The short timeframe has drawn criticism from figures such as One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson and Greens Senator Hanson Young.
This legislation underscores Australia's ongoing efforts to balance online safety for children with ensuring accessibility and rights in the digital age.
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