Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), has criticized a proposed law in Australia that aims to block social media access for children under 16 and impose fines of up to AUD 49.5 million (USD 32 million) on platforms for regulatory breaches.
The Australian government, led by the center-left administration, introduced the bill in parliament on Thursday, seeking to implement strict controls on social media use among minors.
The government plans to trial an age-verification system as part of one of the strictest measures yet by a country to control access to social media. The proposal has sparked significant controversy, with Musk, a staunch advocate for free speech, expressing his opposition. In response to a tweet by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Musk remarked that the law “seems like an indirect way to control the internet connection of all Australians.”
Several countries have already moved to restrict children’s use of social media through legislation, but Australia’s proposed policy stands out as one of the most stringent. Unlike other nations, the law does not allow exceptions for parental consent or the use of pre-existing accounts.
Musk has previously clashed with the Australian government over its social media policies, calling them “fascist” due to a law regulating misinformation. The debate over the new law highlights the ongoing global tension between digital platforms, government regulation, and individual freedoms.
