MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban children younger than 16 years old from social media, leaving it to the Senate to finalize the world-first law.
The major parties backed the bill that would make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for systemic failures to prevent young children from holding accounts.
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In this image made from video released by Leo Puglisi, 17-year-old Leo Puglisi records his online streaming news service 6 News Australia, from Melbourne, Australia in January 2024. (Leo Puglisi via AP)
Online safety advocate Sonya Ryan attends a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on June 15, 2021. Ryan knows from personal tragedy how dangerous social media can be for children. (Mick Tsikas/AAP Image via AP)
Australian Communications Minister Michelle Rowland speaks during House of Representatives Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra, Monday, Nov.18, 2024. (Lukas Coch/AAP Image via AP)
Australia's Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, introduces the Online Safety Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (Mick Tsikas/AAP Image via AP)/AAP Image via AP)
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers, right, gestures as he and Industry Minister Ed Husic speak to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (Lukas Coch/AAP Image via AP)
A teenager uses his mobile phone to access social media, Sydney, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (Dean Lewins/AAP Image VIA AP)
The legislation passed with 102 votes in favor to 13 against. If the bill becomes law this week, the platforms would have one year to work out how to implement the age restrictions before the penalties are enforced.
Opposition lawmaker Dan Tehan told Parliament the government had agreed to accept amendments in the Senate that would bolster privacy protections. Platforms would not be allowed to compel users to provide government-issued identity documents including passports or driver’s licenses. The platforms also could not demand digital identification through a government system.
“Will it be perfect? No. But is any law perfect? No, it’s not. But if it helps, even if it helps in just the smallest of ways, it will make a huge difference to people’s lives,” Tehan told Parliament.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the Senate would debate the bill later Wednesday. The major parties’ support all but guarantees the legislation will pass in the Senate, where no party holds a majority of seats.
Lawmakers who were not aligned with either the government or the opposition were most critical of the legislation during debate on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Criticisms include that the legislation had been rushed through Parliament without adequate scrutiny, would not work, would create privacy risks for users of all ages and would take away parents’ authority to decide what’s best for their children.
Critics also argue the ban would isolate children, deprive them of positive aspects of social media, drive children to the dark web, make children too young for social media reluctant to report harms they encountered and take away incentives for platforms to make online spaces safer.
Independent lawmaker Zoe Daniel said the legislation would “make zero difference to the harms that are inherent to social media.”
“The true object of this legislation is not to make social media safe by design, but to make parents and voters feel like the government is doing something about it,” Daniel told Parliament.
“There is a reason why the government parades this legislation as world-leading, that’s because no other country wants to do it,” she added.
T he platforms had asked for the vote on legislation to be delayed until at least June next year when a government-commissioned evaluation of age assurance technologies made its report on how the ban could been enforced.
Melbourne resident Wayne Holdsworth, whose 17-year-old son Mac took his own life last year after falling victim to an online sextortion scam, described the bill as “absolutely essential for the safety of our children.”
“It’s not the only thing that we need to do to protect them because education is the key, but to provide some immediate support for our children and parents to be able to manage this, it’s a great step,” the 65-year-old online safety campaigner told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
“And in my opinion, it’s the greatest time in our country’s history,” he added, referring to the pending legal reform.
In this image made from video released by Leo Puglisi, 17-year-old Leo Puglisi records his online streaming news service 6 News Australia, from Melbourne, Australia in January 2024. (Leo Puglisi via AP)
Online safety advocate Sonya Ryan attends a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on June 15, 2021. Ryan knows from personal tragedy how dangerous social media can be for children. (Mick Tsikas/AAP Image via AP)
Australian Communications Minister Michelle Rowland speaks during House of Representatives Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra, Monday, Nov.18, 2024. (Lukas Coch/AAP Image via AP)
Australia's Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, introduces the Online Safety Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (Mick Tsikas/AAP Image via AP)/AAP Image via AP)
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers, right, gestures as he and Industry Minister Ed Husic speak to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (Lukas Coch/AAP Image via AP)
A teenager uses his mobile phone to access social media, Sydney, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (Dean Lewins/AAP Image VIA AP)
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani security forces launched an operation Tuesday night to disperse supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan who had gathered in the capital to demand his release from prison.
The latest development came hours after thousands of Khan supporters, defying government warnings, broke through a barrier of shipping containers blocking off Islamabad and entered a high-security zone, where they clashed with security forces, facing tear gas shelling, mass detentions and gunfire.
Tension has been high in Islamabad since Sunday when supporters of the former prime minister began a “long march” from the restive northwest to demand his release. Khan has been in a prison for over a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases that his party says are politically motivated.
Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, led the protest, but she fled as police pushed back against demonstrators. Hundreds of Khan’s supporters are being arrested in the ongoing nighttime operation, and police are also seeking to arrest Bibi.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters that the Red Zone, which houses government buildings and embassies, and the surrounding areas have been cleared. Leaders from Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, have also fled the protest site.
Earlier Tuesday, Pakistan’s army took control of D-Chowk, a large square in the Red Zone, where visiting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is staying.
Since Monday, Naqvi had threatened that security forces would use live fire if protesters fired weapons at them. “We have now authorized the police to respond as necessary,” Naqvi said Tuesday while visiting the square.
Before the operation began, protester Shahzor Ali said people had taken to the streets because Khan had called for them. “We will stay here until Khan joins us. He will decide what to do next,” Ali said.
“If they fire bullets again, we will respond with bullets,” he said.
Protester Fareeda Bibi, who is not related to Khan’s wife, said people have suffered greatly for the last two years.
“We have really suffered for the last two years, whether it is economically, politically or socially. We have been ruined. I have not seen such a Pakistan in my life,” she said.
Authorities have struggled to contain the protest-related violence. Six people, including four members of the security services, were killed when a vehicle rammed them on a street overnight into Tuesday. A police officer died in a separate incident.
Dozens of Khan supporters beat a videographer covering the protest for The Associated Press and took his camera. He sustained head injuries and was treated in a hospital.
By Tuesday afternoon, fresh waves of protesters made their way unopposed to their final destination in the Red Zone. Most demonstrators had the flag of Khan’s party around their shoulders or wore its tricolors on accessories.
Naqvi said Khan’s party had rejected a government offer to rally on the outskirts of the city.
Information Minister Atta Tarar warned there would be a severe government reaction to the violence. He said the government did not want Bushra Bibi to achieve her goal of freeing Khan. “She wants bodies falling to the ground. She wants bloodshed,” he said.
The government says only the courts can order Khan’s release. He was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in Parliament.
In a bid to foil the unrest, police have arrested more than 4,000 Khan supporters since Friday and suspended mobile and internet services in some parts of the country. Messaging platforms were also experiencing severe disruption in the capital.
Khan’s party relies heavily on social media and uses messaging platforms such as WhatsApp to share information, including details of events. The X platform, which is banned in Pakistan, is no longer accessible, even with a VPN.
Last Thursday, a court prohibited rallies in the capital and Naqvi said anyone violating the ban would be arrested. Travel between Islamabad and other cities has become nearly impossible because of shipping containers blocking the roads. All education institutions remain closed.
Pakistan's Stock Exchange lost more than $1.7 billion Tuesday due to rising political tensions, according to economist Mohammed Sohail from Topline Securities.
Associated Press writers Munir Ahmed in Islamabad and Asim Tanveer in Multan, Pakistan, contributed to this report.
Paramilitary soldiers fire rubber bullets and tear gas shells to disperse supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, during clashes at D-Chowk square close to Red Zone, which is an area that houses key government buildings, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Ehsan Shahzad)
Paramilitary soldiers fire rubber bullets and tear gas shells to disperse supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, during clashes at D-Chowk square close to Red Zone in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Ehsan Shahzad)
Police officers fire rubber bullets to disperse supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, during clashes, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Irtisham Ahmed)
Supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party move towards D-Chowk square close to Red Zone, which is an area that houses key government buildings, during their rally demanding Khan's release, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/W.K. Yousufzai)
Pakistan's army troops move toward the Red Zone, which is an area that houses key government buildings, to take position ahead of the rally of supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Ehsan Shahzad)
Police fire tear gas to disperse supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, at D-Chowk square close to Red Zone, which is an area that houses key government buildings, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/W.K. Yousufzai)
Paramilitary soldiers fire tear gas shells to disperse supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, during clashes, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Irtisham Ahmed)
Paramilitary soldiers fire tear gas shells to disperse supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, during clashes, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Irtisham Ahmed)
A supporter of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, runs for cover after police fire tear gas shell to disperse them during clashes, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
A police officer aims to throw stone with a slingshot after others fire tear gas shells to disperse supporters of imprisoned former Premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, during clashes in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
A supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, aims to throw stones with slingshot following police fire tear gas shell to disperse them during clashes, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
A police officer loads his riffle with rubber bullets during clashes with supporters of imprisoned former Premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, aim to throw stones with slingshot following police fire tear gas shell to disperse them during clashes, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, throw stones as police fire tear gas shell to disperse them during clashes, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Irtisham Ahmed)
A police officer removes a tear gas shell thrown back by supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, during clashes, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
A police officer fires a rubber bullet during clashes with supporters of imprisoned former Premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Supporters of imprisoned former Premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party throw stones toward police during clashes in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Police fire tear gas shell to disperse supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, during clashes, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Irtisham Ahmed)
Supporters of imprisoned former Premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, run for cover as police fire tear gas shell to disperse them during clashes, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, remove shipping container to clear way for their rally demanding Khan's release, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, remove shipping container to clear way for their rally demanding Khan's release, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, gather to remove shipping container to clear way for their rally demanding Khan's release, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, gather to remove shipping container to clear way for their rally demanding Khan's release, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Supporters of imprisoned former Premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party run for cover as police fire tear gas shells to disperse them during clashes in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Supporters of imprisoned former Premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party move forwards following police fire tear gas shells to disperse them during clashes in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, throw stone as police fire tear gas shell to disperse them during clashes, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, gather to remove shipping containers to clear way for their rally demanding Khan's release, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Supporters of imprisoned former Premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party move advance following police fire tear gas shell to disperse them during clashes, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, burn bushes to reduce the impact of tear gas shells fired by police officers to disperse them during a rally demanding Khan's release, at a motorway in Ghazi in Attock district, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Maaz Awan)
