Australia’s New Social Media Laws Also Requires Users To Lie About About How Much They’ve Had To Drink

CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT

Australia is just months away from becoming one of the first democracies on the planet to implement a social media ban for users under the age of 16.

It’s a world-first initiative that requires an age-old method of age verification, with the Australian government currently in the process of developing a mild-mannered digital bouncer, who will be trusted with the responsibility of ensuring that children are not granted entry into adult spaces.

The Australian under 16s social media ban is widely-popular decision that has been champion by parents across the country, and fiercely criticised by the billionaire tech giants – who fear this kind of legislation may trigger a global trend that could very well limit how many eyeballs they can monetise with algorithmic brain rot.

However, the federal government says the ban is needed to protect the mental health and wellbeing of children and teenager, and minimise the risks of cyberbullying, harmful content and predators that the social media platforms have been unable to police themselves.

While the reasoning cannot be argued with, concerned citizens do have questions still remain around how the restrictions will work, and how the government plans to restrain themselves from creating an online surveillance state.

The capabilities and function of this soon-to-be revealed software has become catnip for conspiracists, who now fear the government will be watching their every move online – even if that has been case for a decade now.

The current age verification prototype is known as the ‘E-Samoan’ – and is being designed to emulate the same experience that Australians face when attempting to enter a pub.

If underage, the E-Samoan will deny entry to users, and direct them to their nearest TimeZone or skate park.

However, there are fears that ‘the online bouncer’ may be at risk of power-tripping, and could take great joy in needlessly quizzing social media users before either waving them in, or gleefully denying them entry.

There’s also questions about whether or not the E-Samoan can be trusted with keeping the secrets of adults who do gain access to these online spaces – or will be capable of reserving judgement of those who’ve had a few drinks beforehand.

Critics of these laws say that Australians are at risk of being bombarded with judgemental comments like “Had much to drink tonight, mate?” and “Sorry bro. Not with those shoes”