UPDATE (08/11/24): We now have more information on the Online Safety Act that will prevent Australians that are under 16 from accessing online platforms, and as we expected, it seems as though it will apply to the likes of YouTube, Roblox and by definition even extend as far as the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live.
The definition of a social media service as per the Online Safety Act according to the ABC can be found below:
- The sole or primary purpose of the service is to enable online social interaction between two or more end users;
- The service allows end users to link to, or interact with, some or all of the other end users;
- The service allows end users to post material on the service.
By definition, any online gaming network such as Fortnite, Roblox or the PlayStation Network/Xbox Live would meet this criteria as they exist to enable online social interaction between two or more end users, allow people to interact and in most cases also allow material to be posted on the service.
This is expected to be a good time away from being implemented (12+ months according to the ABC), and it’s obviously going to be a hard one to police, but if it does extend as far as we think it will, it’s going to totally change the structure of these online platforms for massive companies in Australia.
We highly recommend heading to the ABC website to read more about the proposed social media ban.
ORIGINAL STORY: The Albanese government is reportedly looking to enforce stricter rules for teenagers online ahead of the next federal election according to a new report from The Guardian. The prime minister will allegedly announce the bill some time today though exact details of the legislation remain unclear outside of a loosely defined restriction around the use of social media and “other relevant digital platforms” by persons under 18 years old.
While the exact age limit of the legislation has yet to be announced, the news follows Albanese’s previous endorsement of banning social media for anyone under the age of 16. Equally unknown is exactly how far reaching this legislation will seek to enforce itself and on which gaming platforms.
While major live service and multiplayer titles like Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft immediately come to mind, it’s unclear how this love from the Australian government would coexist with pre-existing terms of service and minimum age requirements for the use of transactions and other social media platforms.
The news comes ahead of Australia’s next federal election, slated to take place sometime before September of 2025. The Prime Minster has spoken out on this issue before, stating that “We know that technology moves fast, No government is going to be able to protect every child from every threat – but we have to do all we can. Parents are worried sick about this. We know they’re working without a map – no generation has faced this challenge before.”
