Daily London
The ban, which will force certain social media companies to prohibit Australians aged under 16 from using their platforms, comes into effect a month from today, on December 10.
Speaking today outside parliament about the landmark laws, Albanese insisted the measure was appropriate.
“This is about letting kids be kids. It’s also about empowering parents to be able to have those discussions with their children,” he told reporters.
“We don’t argue that these laws will be perfect in their implementation.
“We do argue, very strongly, though, that this is the government of Australia setting down what we expect to happen, including reminding social media companies that they have a social responsibility, and that they need to be conscious about their social licence, like other businesses.”
The laws have, as expected, come under fire from the multinational tech giants whose platforms will be impacted by the ban, but have also faced criticism from closer to home about which sites are and aren’t included, and a lack of information about the changes that come into effect in a month.
Communications Minister Anika Wells defended the implementation of what she called a “world-leading” reform, saying there had been a 20-fold increase in traffic to the eSafety website since the launch of a national education campaign three weeks ago.
“Our social media laws are not a cure, but they are a treatment plan,” she said.
“We want children to have their childhood and we want parents to have peace of mind.
“This reform will not just change a law. It will change a generation.
“We know this law will not be perfect, but it is too important not to have a crack.”
She added that social media companies have to communicate with their users about the ban before it comes into effect, although admitted exactly when that communication happens hasn’t been set.
“Perhaps in the week leading up to 10 December,” she said.
