Google and Meta urge Australia to delay bill on social media ban for children

The tech giants behind Google and Facebook are asking the Australian government to postpone a ban on most forms of social media for children under the age of 16. | REUTERS

by RENJU JOSE
November 26, 2024

SYDNEY – Google and Facebook-owner Meta Platforms urged the Australian government on Tuesday to delay a bill that will ban most forms of social media for children under 16, saying more time was needed to assess its potential impact.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's center-left government wants to pass the bill, which represents some of the toughest controls on children's social media use imposed by any country, into law by the end of the parliamentary year on Thursday.

The bill was introduced in parliament last week and opened for submissions of opinions for only one day.