Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communications, Manoa Kamikamica, regards Australia’s recent legislation banning social media access for children under 16 as a potential model for Fiji. This groundbreaking Australian law, passed last Thursday, will take effect in a year and mandates that major social media platforms—such as Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter)—implement age-verification systems or face penalties of up to AUD $50 million (FJ $74.7 million). Notably, gaming and messaging services are not included in this requirement.
Although the law has faced backlash from technology companies, which argue that it lacked adequate consultation and was hastily enacted, it represents an unprecedented global effort to regulate minors’ access to social media.
In response, Kamikamica emphasized the importance of adapting to the digital era and addressing the adverse effects of social media on children. He noted that the legislation is currently under review by the National Pornography Taskforce, indicating that Fiji may explore various measures beyond this legislative approach.
Sashi Kiran, an advocate for children’s welfare, welcomed the discussions and underscored the crucial role of parental involvement in ensuring children’s safety online, reiterating that laws alone are not enough.
Furthermore, the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission is analyzing the new Australian law, with Chairperson Pravesh Sharma announcing that a statement will be released following their comprehensive review.
As Fiji contemplates similar regulations, there is hope that such initiatives will effectively safeguard young users in a digital landscape while encouraging parental engagement in monitoring their children’s online activities.
Leave a comment