Career-networking site LinkedIn has told Australian lawmakers it is too dull for kids to warrant its inclusion in a proposed ban on social media for under 16 year olds.
LinkedIn simply does not have content interesting and appealing to minors, the Microsoft-owned company said in a submission to an Australian senate committee.
The Australian government has said it will introduce “world-leading” legislation to stop children accessing social media platforms.
But companies behind some of the most popular platforms with young people – Meta, Google, Snapchat-owner Snap Inc and TikTok – have all challenged the planned law in submissions made to lawmakers.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said the proposed law is to address the harm social media was inflicting on Australian children.
He said it was for “the mums and dads” who like him were “worried sick about the safety of our kids online.”
Other countries are closely watching what happens with the legislation, some – including the UK – saying they are open to following suit.
Australia’s Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee gave respondents one day to comment on the bill, which would amend its existing Online Safety Act.
Its report to the Senate concludes the bill should pass – providing its recommendations, such as engaging young people in the legislation’s implementation, are considered.
However, in their responses, the world’s biggest tech firms have been setting out why they are unhappy with the proposed law.
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