The law will make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to $33 million for failures to prevent kids from holding accounts.
I don’t see Hexbear on the list. Time to radicalize some Aussie kids.
This is probably a means of controlling the narrative going forwards. They are worried about kids finding out how much bullshit the media pushes about the west’s enemies, China in particular. With an upcoming war or “trade war” with China, all the propaganda is going to go into overdrive. The kids’ reaction to Gaza has been horrifying for the ruling class, they don’t want a repeat of that, especially as these kids are going to be military aged by the time things really kick off for a war.
Then again, I might be thinking about this far more long term than the Australian parliament, they do have a nasty habit of making incredibly short sighted decisions.
Platforms would not be allowed to compel users to provide government-issued identity documents including passports or driver’s licenses, nor could they demand digital identification through a government system.
Honestly it’s really hard to work out whether this is an ‘elites experimenting with new policies in a backwoods client state’ thing, or the Aus govt are just idiots who can’t imagine addressing social problems in a more complex way than ‘fuck it just make it illegal’
I think it’s the majors terrified of losing votes to minors. Labor to the greens and Lib to the teals.
They’ve both felt threatened, and seen social media be used to shift kids on climate and Palestine. They’re doing this alongside electoral reforms to cement funding for a two party system.
This is probably a means of controlling the narrative going forwards. They are worried about kids finding out how much bullshit the media pushes about the west’s enemies, China in particular. With an upcoming war or “trade war” with China, all the propaganda is going to go into overdrive. The kids’ reaction to Gaza has been horrifying for the ruling class, they don’t want a repeat of that, especially as these kids are going to be military aged by the time things really kick off for a war.
Then again, I might be thinking about this far more long term than the Australian parliament, they do have a nasty habit of making incredibly short sighted decisions.
It’s also a backdoor 5 eyes surveillance bill. Means all adults have to use ID to register on social media.
That’s good for the end of social media
Not true?
Let’s be honest here: that is an inevitability. We just hate it because it’s private companies with little to no transparency responsible for it.
Honestly it’s really hard to work out whether this is an ‘elites experimenting with new policies in a backwoods client state’ thing, or the Aus govt are just idiots who can’t imagine addressing social problems in a more complex way than ‘fuck it just make it illegal’
Considering our government’s attitude towards the internet is that it is a “fad” that will soon blow over, it’s probably more of the latter.
Why not both?
I think it’s the majors terrified of losing votes to minors. Labor to the greens and Lib to the teals.
They’ve both felt threatened, and seen social media be used to shift kids on climate and Palestine. They’re doing this alongside electoral reforms to cement funding for a two party system.