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Guide to the Global Leaders in Media Law Practice

REGIONS WE COVER

Middle East and North Africa

North America

Asia-Pacific

Western Europe

Central and Eastern Europe

Australia has introduced significant media law reforms over the past year as part of measures enhancing online safety, regulating social media access and addressing hate speech.

In November 2024, the Australian Parliament approved the world’s first law banning under-16s from social media. The landmark law is among the world’s strictest measures intended to protect young people from social media harm. The ban is expected to address the effect of excessive social media use on children’s physical and mental health, a concern many parents have echoed.

The ban will not take effect for at least 12 months, giving social media platforms a period during which they must establish a way to implement the age limit. Platforms could be fined up to AUD50 million (GBP25.7 million) if they do not comply.

Other legislative developments over the past year include Australia’s long-awaited privacy law reforms addressing digital challenges and intended to enhance privacy rights. The Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 received Royal Assent in December 2024 and is part of reforms relating to the publication of content across on digital platforms. The national regulation came into force on 01 July in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory - the first two jurisdictions in Australia to adopt the law that modernises defamation law for the digital age.

Commenting on the new law, Attorney General Michael Daley said: “The previous defamation laws were passed at a time when the sort of digital access we now enjoy could not have been imagined by most of us.” Mr Daley added: “It is essential our laws reflect the world in which we live, and these changes aim to address the challenges posed by the rapid spread of defamatory information online and clarify the legislation for complainants and publishers.”