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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Josh Butler

Labor has brushed aside concerns over the social media ban. But what if it doesn’t work as promised?

Anthony Albanese and Anika Wells
The communications minister, Anika Wells (right), says Labor ‘aren’t chasing perfection’ in introducing the social media ban for under 16s. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

One year ago this week, Labor introduced its social media ban for under 16s, ramming it through parliament within seven days. Passing on the final sitting day of 2024, the contentious bill controversially only received a four-hour inquiry, such was the keenness of both major parties to speed it through parliament.

A year later, just 19 days before the laws come into effect on 10 December, the government was still adding new platforms to the list of tech companies to face up to $50m fines if they fail to ban children from their services.

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