Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and owner of the social media platform X, has sharply criticized Australia’s proposed legislation that seeks to ban social media for children under 16. The Australian government is aiming to implement an age-verification system, potentially involving biometrics or government-issued IDs, to prevent children and teenagers from accessing popular social media platforms like X, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Companies that fail to comply with these new regulations could face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (about $32.5 million).
In a response to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese‘s post about the bill, Musk expressed his concerns, calling the move “a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians.” As a vocal advocate for free speech, Musk’s criticism highlights his belief that such actions could overstep individual freedoms in the digital space.
Australia’s Strict Social Media Regulations
Australia’s center-left government introduced the social media ban for children under 16 in Parliament on November 22, 2024. This proposal is part of a broader trend of countries seeking to regulate children’s access to social media. While the United States mandates parental consent for data collection from children under 13, Australia’s legislation goes a step further by setting the age limit at 16 without exceptions for parental consent or preexisting social media accounts.
This strict approach makes Australia’s proposed law one of the toughest in the world. With the aim of protecting young users from harmful content online, the government is taking action against social media platforms that fail to enforce these new age restrictions.
Musk’s Previous Criticism of Australian Regulations
This is not the first time Elon Musk has criticized the Australian government regarding tech regulations. In April 2024, Musk called out Australia for censorship after a court ordered X to remove disturbing content related to a stabbing incident in Sydney. The case was later dismissed. Furthermore, in September 2024, Musk referred to the Australian government’s crackdown on online misinformation as fascist, sparking further controversy.
Elon Musk’s opposition to Australia’s proposed ban on social media for children is rooted in his commitment to free speech and digital freedoms. As governments worldwide continue to scrutinize social media, the debate over age restrictions and censorship remains a pivotal issue. Musk’s stance challenges the idea of government overreach and encourages ongoing dialogue about regulating social media platforms in a way that balances safety with individual rights.
