Google and Meta have requested the Australian government to postpone the legislation aimed at limiting social media use for children under 16.

The bill, seen as one of the toughest globally, may become law by Thursday as the parliamentary year ends.

Google and Meta suggested waiting until the completion of age-verification system trials that might use biometrics or government IDs for implementation.

Meta remarked that the bill’s current format is “inconsistent and ineffective,” stressing its unclear implications without additional data.

If passed, the law would mandate social media platforms to verify users’ ages with penalties reaching up to US$32 million for major violations.