KATHMANDU The Australian government has introduced a bill to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media. The bill provides for a fine of 32 million US dollars for companies that violate this rule.
Along with this law, Australia has introduced a test plan for an age verification system. Social media companies will have to use biometric or government authentication according to this system.
This is the most significant regulatory process that any country has introduced so far. Also, this is the highest limit of Umehad set by any country.
If this bill is passed and becomes a law, children under 16 years of age will not be allowed to operate their existing accounts.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it a ‘historic reform’. Social media and internet companies Meta and Google have demanded a delay in the passing of this law. Both companies have requested that the law not be passed until Australia has tested the age verification system.
It is believed that the Australian government can pass the bill by the end of this week. Social media companies have accused the law of trying to advance it without proper consultation.