Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has expressed willingness to discuss the country’s new social media law with Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X (formerly Twitter), after Musk criticized the legislation.
The law, passed by parliament on Thursday, requires social media platforms to take steps to prevent under-16s from creating accounts. It will be enforced in 12 months, though specific implementation details, including age verification methods, remain unclear.
Elon Musk’s Concerns
Musk, recently appointed as Donald Trump’s government efficiency chief in the U.S., posted last month that the legislation could act as a “backdoor way to control internet access for all Australians.”
When asked if he would engage with Musk on the matter, Albanese told ABC, “We will talk to anyone. Elon Musk has an agenda, and as the owner of X, he’s entitled to advocate for it.”
He added, “We are determined to enforce this legislation. It’s about protecting young people.”
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Social media companies that fail to comply with the new law face fines of up to AUD 50 million (USD 32.5 million). The law does not require individuals to provide identification, placing the responsibility solely on platforms to block underage users.
Albanese emphasized that companies already possess enough user data to enforce the rules. “Social media firms often know more about us than our own friends. They can and should prevent underage access,” he said.
Concerns and Criticism
While several social media giants have agreed to collaborate on implementing the law, they have also voiced concerns, describing the legislation as rushed and lacking expert consultation.
Unicef Australia warned that the law might not effectively combat online harm. “This is no silver bullet,” the organization stated, adding that it could drive children to unregulated online spaces.
Why the Legislation Matters
Albanese shared that meeting parents who lost children due to cyberbullying motivated his determination to act. “We must address the harm caused by social media,” he said.
With the government set to finalize the law’s implementation over the next year, this marks a significant step in Australia’s efforts to regulate online safety for young people.
