Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Google, Meta advocate delay of Bill banning under-16 from social media

POSTED ON November 26, 2024 •   GLOBAL NEWS      BY Benedicta Bassey
Social Media icons. Photo: AFP/ X

Australian, Oceanic —Tech giants Google and Meta have urged the Australian government to delay a proposed bill that would ban children under 16 from accessing most social media platforms.

According to the firms, the government should allow more time to assess the bill’s impact and await results from an age-verification trial.

The advocacy remain pertinent following the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese’s statement that the government aims to pass the legislation—one of the strictest globally on children’s social media use—by Thursday, the final day of the parliamentary year.

Introduced last week, the bill was open for public submissions for just one day, drawing criticism for its expedited timeline.

The proposed law would require social media companies, rather than parents or children, to enforce age-verification measures, potentially using biometrics or government-issued identification. Companies found in breach could face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million).

Meta criticised the bill as “inconsistent and ineffective” without clear results from the age-verification trial.

Google urged for a measured approach to ensure Australians understand the implications of the legislation.

TikTok raised “significant concerns” over the lack of consultation with experts, social media platforms, mental health organisations, and young people.

“Novel policies must be drafted thoroughly to ensure their success,” the company stated.

Elon Musk’s X also opposed the bill, arguing it could infringe on children’s human rights, including their freedom of expression and access to information.

Musk, a vocal advocate for free speech, accused the government of using the bill as a backdoor to control internet access.

The opposition Liberal Party has signalled support for the bill, while some independent lawmakers have criticised the government for rushing its passage.

If passed into law,  the bill would place Australia at the forefront of regulating children’s online activity, and raised concern over the role of government in the digital spaces.

READ ALSO
SERAP files Lawsuit against NNPCL over Missing $2.5bn, N825bn for Refinery Rehabilitation
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 13, 2025 0

SERAP files lawsuit against NNPCL over missing $2.5bn and N825bn earmarked for refinery rehabilitati...

READ ALSO
Accord Party Calls for Abolishment of State Electoral Commissions to Restore Election Integrity
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 13, 2025 0

The Accord Party has emphasized the necessity for the National Assembly to eliminate the State Indep...

READ ALSO
Tinubu Returns to Abuja after Successful Diplomatic Missions in Saint Lucia and Brazil
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 13, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu returned to Abuja late Saturday following official trips to S...

READ ALSO
Nigerian Man Sentenced to 11 Years for $1.3 Million COVID-19 Fraud
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 12, 2025 0

A Nigerian man residing in the San Gabriel Valley, Abiola Femi Quadri, received a sentence of 135 mo...

READ ALSO
Nigeria Customs Seizes 40-Foot Container of Donkey Genitals in Major Wildlife Trafficking Bust
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 11, 2025 0

Operatives from the Nigeria Customs Service have seized a 40-foot container filled with donkey genit...

READ ALSO
Trump Hosts African Leaders at the White House to Explore Business Opportunities
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 10, 2025 0

United States President Donald Trump On Wednesday, welcomed the Presidents of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau,...

READ ALSO
Police Enforce Total Vehicle Ban on Election Day to Ensure Safety
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 10, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - Ahead of the local government elections set for Saturday, July 12, 2025, the Lagos...

READ ALSO
IRCC Raises Minimum Proof of Funds for Immigrants: New Threshold Set at CAD $15,262
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 10, 2025 0

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has initiated a review of the settlement fund cr...

OUR CHANNELS:

Oyo Speaker Advocate Creation of State Police amidst 700,000 Lives Lost to Insecurity
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 17, 2025 0

The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, has advocated for the creation of s...


Police kill six suspected kidnappers in Delta
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 17, 2025 0

The Delta Police Command reports that six kidnapping suspects have been eliminated in the state.&nbs...


US-Nigeria Trade Relations Face Significant Decline Amid New Tariffs
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 17, 2025 0

The trade ties between the United States and Nigeria have encountered a notable decline, with offici...


President Tinubu Leads Tributes for Buhari and Oba Adetona
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 16, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu has guided countless Nigerians in grieving the loss of his predecessor, Muhamm...


Buhari Dies in London after Brief Illness
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 14, 2025 0

Nigeria’s immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, has died in London. Buhari died on Sund...


SERAP files Lawsuit against NNPCL over Missing $2.5bn, N825bn for Refinery Rehabilitation
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 14, 2025 0

SERAP files lawsuit against NNPCL over missing $2.5bn and N825bn earmarked for refinery rehabilitati...


Accord Party Calls for Abolishment of State Electoral Commissions to Restore Election Integrity
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 13, 2025 0

The Accord Party has emphasized the necessity for the National Assembly to eliminate the State Indep...


Tinubu Returns to Abuja after Successful Diplomatic Missions in Saint Lucia and Brazil
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 16, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu returned to Abuja late Saturday following official trips to S...


Leadership Crisis Hits Benue ADC as Over 500 Members Defect Back to PDP
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 16, 2025 0

The Benue chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is currently enmeshed in a leadership cri...


Voter Apathy: Young Residents Express Doubts About Electoral Process
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 16, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria- Despite appeals for civic engagement from election officials and stakeholders during...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu