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<\/p>\nAustralia will strengthen its social media ban for young people as a priority amid concerns the powers behind the world-first laws are not strong enough.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed the federal government is considering tougher measures to check the “power” of the “unaccountable” tech giants behind popular social media platforms.<\/p>\n
“There is more to do,” he said in Question Time today.<\/p>\n
Since December, platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Twitch, Kick and X have been legally required to block and take reasonable steps to prevent young Australians signing up.<\/p>\n
Companies face fines of up to $49.5 million for failing to prevent Australians aged under 16 from accessing their platforms.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the social media age restriction legislation had only “very thin scaffolding”.<\/p>\n
“I don’t have potent powers,” Ms Inman Grant told The Sydney Morning Herald.<\/p>\n
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The government is considering Julie Inman Grant’s comments. (Four Corners: Keana Naughton)<\/p>\n
Labor has previously warned the eSafety Commissioner would “throw the book” at tech companies who failed to prevent Australians aged under 16 from accessing social media, but no fines have been issued<\/a> despite apparent non-compliance.<\/p>\n Social media ban ‘complex’ and needs bolstering<\/p>\n Mr Albanese has now confirmed Labor is considering Ms Inman Grant’s comments and work that would “require a further strengthening of the social media ban”.<\/p>\n “We’re working on that as a priority because this is something that other generations didn’t have to deal with, which is why it is complex,” he said.<\/p>\n “We can’t allow the power that these companies, which are unaccountable, which get massive amounts of \u2026 profit and have extraordinary power. We need to make sure that Australians are in charge of this.”<\/p>\n Mr Albanese said the global community was also tackling issues related to the impact of algorithms on children, and Australia should be proud 16 other countries have “followed our social media ban”.<\/p>\n Algorithm concerns on government’s radar<\/p>\n The PM made the comments in response to a question from independent Wentworth MP Allegra Spender about whether the government would consider laws to give all Australians the ability to opt out of online algorithms.<\/p>\n