Australia’s social media laws to be strengthened: Albanese

Australia’s social media ban on young people will be further strengthened as the federal government looks for ways to combat the “incalculable” power of social media companies.

Some of the world’s most popular social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube, have been banned from under 16s in Australia since December.

Companies that fail to take reasonable steps to prevent minors from maintaining or opening accounts on their platforms will face penalties of up to $49.5 million.

The laws were introduced as a result of sustained lobbying by News Corp Australia and the Let Them Be Kids campaign.

On Wednesday, Anthony Albanese said the government was working to ensure the laws could withstand legal challenges and that the eSafety Commissioner “has every power”.

“We’re trying to make sure the legislation is as strong as possible in line with some of the feedback and we’ll adjust things accordingly,” the Prime Minister told ABC News Breakfast on Wednesday.

His comments came after the government confirmed on Tuesday it was considering tougher measures during the period.

Mr Albanese told the House his government had taken into account comments made by eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant, who told Nine Newspapers earlier this month that she did not have “strong powers”.

“We’re working on this primarily because it’s something that other generations haven’t had to deal with, so it’s complicated,” Mr Albanese said.

“We cannot allow the power of these companies with extraordinary power, which are unaccountable and generate huge amounts of profit financing.”

Ms Inman-Grant also described social media ban legislation as “very weak scaffolding” in her speech.

“What I would say is that a regulator is only as good as the tools and resources available to him,” he said.

In May, Ms. Inman-Grant said her office had found “some improvements” after a March regulatory update highlighted compliance concerns and triggered investigations into social media companies.

“But we have not yet reached a final decision on whether the platforms have taken reasonable steps, which is the highest standard we must prove under the legislation,” he told the Senate estimates hearing.

Ms Inman Grant acknowledged there was “strong interest as to why sentences have not yet been handed down”.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have a fine button,” he said.

“Rather, systemic noncompliance needs to be proven in court with solid evidence and complex legal proceedings.”

A survey of 900 Australian parents in March found 31 per cent reported their children still had one or more social media accounts; This rate was 41 percent before the laws came into force on December 10.

The research revealed that 70 percent of those who had Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok before the ban continued to access them.

At the time, Communications Minister Anika Wells described the findings as “unacceptable”.