In brief
In a bid to safeguard children from the risks associated with social media, the Australian government will enforce a ban on platforms for those under 16 years old, effective from December 10. Social media companies must take reasonable actions to prevent account creation by minors and deactivate existing accounts. Data indicates that a significant portion of youth has encountered harmful content online, prompting this groundbreaking policy. Social media companies face fines for non-compliance, but questions linger on the ban's effectiveness and implications for children's online engagement.
From 10 December, social media companies will have to take reasonable steps to ensure that under-16s in Australia cannot set up accounts on their platforms and that existing accounts are deactivated or removed.
The government says the ban - a world-first policy popular with many parents - is aimed at reducing the pressures and risks children can be exposed to on social media, stemming from design features that encourage them to spend more time on screens, while also serving up content that can harm their health and wellbeing.
A study commissioned by the government earlier this year said 96% of children aged 10-15 used social media and that seven out of 10 of them had been exposed to harmful content and behaviour, ranging from misogynistic material to fight videos and content promoting eating disorders and suicide.
One in seven also reported experiencing grooming-type behaviour and more than half said they had been victims of cyberbullying.
What platforms are affected?
The Australian government has named ten platforms included in the ban: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, along with streaming platforms Kick and Twitch. They are under pressure to consider expanding the ban to online gaming, and platforms like Roblox have recently introduced age checks for certain features to avoid inclusion in the ban.
How will the ban be enforced?
Social media companies are tasked with enforcing the ban, and if they fail, they face fines up to $49.5 million for serious or repeated breaches. The government encourages the use of various age assurance technologies for verification, despite not specifying which tools to use. Possible methods could include government IDs, facial or voice recognition, and online behaviour assessment.
Meta, which owns multiple platforms, announced it would start closing teen accounts beginning December 4, allowing for verification methods such as government IDs or video selfies if accounts are mistakenly removed. Other platforms have not yet disclosed their compliance strategies.
Will it work?
The effectiveness of the ban is uncertain, as necessary enforcement methods may exclude some users while failing to capture others. Critics warn that the penalties may not be substantial enough to encourage compliance, as companies like Meta can generate significant revenue rapidly.
Furthermore, critics argue that the ban may not adequately mitigate online risks for children, given that platforms like online gaming and dating sites remain unaffected.
Are there data protection concerns?
Concerns exist regarding the collection and handling of personal data required for age verification, especially given recent high-profile data breaches in Australia. The government claims the new legislation includes strong data protection measures, requiring that any personal information collected for age verification be destroyed afterward.
How have social media companies responded?
Social media companies initially expressed strong opposition to the ban, citing challenges in enforcement and risks to users’ privacy. However, they are moving towards implementation.
Do other countries have similar bans?
This ban marks Australia as the first nation to impose such restrictions on social media for minors. Other countries are exploring various regulatory measures but have not implemented an outright ban.
Will children try to get around the ban?
Teens have already begun creating new accounts with fake ages to bypass the restrictions, and many anticipate an increase in the use of VPNs in response to the ban.
