Proposed Age Restriction on Social Media Platforms for Minors Under 16 in Australia?
The Australian Parliament has made history by passing a law that bans social media platforms from offering their services to children and adolescents under the age of 16. This world-first measure, set to take effect by December 10, 2025, is established under Part 4A of the Online Safety Act 2021.
The ban addresses concerns about screen time, cyberbullying, and data collection for young Australians. Social media companies are legally required to implement systems and processes to detect and block account creation or retention by under-16 users. The responsibility lies entirely on the service providers.
However, the technical and ethical challenges of age verification remain. Potential methods being explored include face-scanning biometrics, voice recognition, and analysis of hand movements. The government is still exploring "reasonable steps" companies must take to comply, and it remains unclear how enforcement will work in practice.
To curb underage users from circumventing the ban by using older people's accounts, platforms might require users to verify their age at regular intervals. Critics question the effectiveness of the regulation's enforcement, raising concerns about children potentially bypassing the systems put in place.
The ban applies to major platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, but has sparked debate on extending to platforms such as YouTube. Some critics warn that banning social media for younger users might push them towards less regulated corners of the internet.
TikTok Australia has submitted a submission to the Inquiry into the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024. The fine for non-compliance with the ban is up to 50 million Australian dollars, equivalent to approximately 30.7 million euros.
Australia's pioneering move is expected to inspire other nations to take similar actions regarding social media and underage users. The law has been met with arguments from platforms that it is disproportionate to the efforts already made to protect young users. Affected platforms have one year to comply with the ban.
This landmark move is part of the Australian government's response to concerns about the effects of social media on young users. As the rollout approaches, further details and enforcement guidelines will be clarified to ensure the regulation's effectiveness.
- The new policy-and-legislation, established under Part 4A of the Online Safety Act 2021, requires social media companies to enforce systems and processes to block under-16 users, as part of the Australian government's response to concerns about the effects of social media on young users.
- The ban on social media platforms offering their services to children and adolescents under 16, set to take effect by December 10, 2025, is a significant development in politics and general-news, addressing concerns about screen time, cyberbullying, and data collection for young Australians.
