Tech firms face ‘harsh’ fines and lawsuits from parents under SA plan to ban children from social media

South Australia premier says proposed laws would see platforms hit with severe' penalties for allowing under 14s to create accounts

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Social media companies will be slapped with harsh" fines if they allow children under 14 to create accounts and risk lawsuits from parents of children who suffer harm, under draft South Australian laws the government says are suitable for all jurisdictions.

A report by former high court chief justice Robert French released on Sunday includes a draft bill with the legislative framework to ban children under 14 from social media and requires companies to gain parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds to use their platforms.

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