Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant has stated that her agency will uphold Parliament’s decision regarding the social media ban. The Senate is currently deliberating legislation to prohibit social media for individuals under 16 years old. Social media companies may face fines of $49.5 million for not taking adequate measures to prevent minors from having accounts.
Inman-Grant emphasized that her role is to enforce the laws set by Parliament, rather than endorse them. She highlighted the importance of national consistency in such bills and expressed the agency’s commitment to implementing and enforcing the will of Parliament.
The Commissioner stressed the need to ensure that vulnerable children can still connect and express themselves online. She mentioned the discussions held with international regulators in Europe to push for online platforms to incorporate safety features for users.
Regarding concerns about Elon Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration, Inman-Grant stated that her focus is on safeguarding Australians’ online safety and regulating without bias.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland disclosed that the social media ban would encompass platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and others, while exempting messaging apps to preserve communication with loved ones.
Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman affirmed the Coalition’s collaboration with the government to finalize the ban legislation, acknowledging the urgency of the issue. However, some Coalition members, including Nationals Senator Matt Canavan, have raised concerns about data collection during the age verification process.
The government proposed that social media companies implement age verification methods to comply with the minimum age requirement, without dictating the specific approach in the bill.
Senators Pauline Hanson and Sarah Hanson-Young raised apprehensions about the speed at which the legislation is progressing, with the Senate referring the bill for a report within a short timeframe after its introduction.
Inman-Grant’s dedication to ensuring online safety for Australians and enforcing Parliament’s decisions underscores the agency’s commitment to protecting children and vulnerable individuals in the digital space. Please rewrite the text provided so that it is clearer and more concise.
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