The new law means that social media such as Tiktok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X, and Instagram will be liable to pay fines equivalent to 350 million kronor if they fail to implement systems that prevent young people under 16 years old from having accounts.
In both the Senate and the House of Representatives, support for the bill was robust.
Social media companies have one year to implement the solution before they can be penalized. The primary responsibility lies with the companies. Young people who use social media without meeting the age requirement risk no punishment.
Some apps and media platforms already have guidelines for users' ages, but it is difficult to check if they are followed. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said that he wants to support parents through the age limit.
I want parents to be able to say: I'm sorry, but I'm breaking the law if I let you do that, he said when the bill was presented at the beginning of November.
Social media is harming our children, and I say that's enough now.
Children who already have popular apps or have their parents' permission to have them will not be exempt from the age limit. The government has broad support in parliament, including from the opposition, for its proposal.
