Australia is set to implement a ban on social media usage for children under 16, following the approval of the strictest such laws in the world by its parliament. The ban, which will take effect in at least 12 months, could impose fines of up to A$50 million (approximately $32.5 million or £25.7 million) on tech companies that fail to comply. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the legislation aims to protect young people from the dangers associated with social media, a sentiment echoed by many parental groups.
However, critics argue that there are still unresolved concerns regarding implementation, privacy, and social interactions. This legislation marks a significant step, as it sets the minimum age at 16, the highest of any country, and does not allow exceptions for existing users or parental consent.
The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 34 to 19 and was subsequently approved by the House of Representatives. Albanese expressed the intent to support parents in ensuring a healthy childhood for their children. The law does not identify specific platforms that will be banned; that determination will come later from Australia’s communications minister, who will consult with the eSafety Commissioner, the regulatory body that will enforce the rules. Platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X will be included in the ban, while gaming and messaging platforms will be exempt, along with sites accessible without an account, such as YouTube.
To enforce the restrictions, the government plans to use some form of age-verification technology, with testing set to occur in the upcoming months. The responsibility for implementing these processes will fall on the social media platforms themselves. However, digital experts warn that there are no guarantees that the proposed technology—aided by biometrics or identity information—will function effectively, and they have raised concerns about privacy protection.
Critics also point out that young users may easily bypass the restrictions using tools like VPNs, which mask their locations. Nonetheless, children who manage to circumvent the rules will not face penalties. Limited polling suggests that a majority of Australian parents support the reforms. Advocates for the ban, like Amy Friedlander, argue that parents are often caught between allowing their children access to addictive devices or risking isolation for their kids.
While some experts believe the ban is too heavy-handed to successfully tackle the issues related to social media, they warn it might push children into less regulated areas of the internet. During a brief consultation before the bill’s passing, tech companies like Google and Snap criticized the legislation for its lack of clarity, while Meta described it as “ineffective” in achieving its goal of enhancing kids’ safety. TikTok also expressed concerns that the government’s definition of social media was overly broad, potentially encompassing nearly every online service.
Youth advocates have accused the government of not fully grasping how social media affects young people, urging for their involvement in the conversation around solutions. Albanese has acknowledged the complexity of the issue but has stood by the legislation, comparing its implementation challenges to those of alcohol restrictions for minors. Last year, France passed a law banning access to social media for children under 15 without parental consent, but research showed that nearly half of the users managed to evade the ban using VPNs.
A similar law in Utah, USA, was recently deemed unconstitutional by a federal judge. Australia’s forthcoming laws are attracting attention from world leaders, with Norway hinting at similar measures and the UK’s technology secretary mentioning a potential ban, though he noted it isn’t currently being pursued.
