Australia to Ban Children Under 16 from Using Social Media, Threatening Elon Musk and Billionaire Wallets
The Australian government is set to introduce a groundbreaking law that will require social media platforms to prevent users under the age of 16 from creating accounts. This bold move aims to protect children from the negative effects of social media, such as online bullying and exposure to harmful content. Social media giants like Meta (Facebook, Instagram) and X (formerly Twitter) face the threat of a 32.5 million USD fine if they fail to comply with the new law.
This law is a significant step towards creating a safer online environment for young users, with the government urging social media platforms to take responsibility for child protection. According to Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland, these platforms must enforce protective measures, rather than relying solely on parents or children to manage their safety. The law marks a shift in the way digital safety is approached, putting more onus on the platforms themselves.
Challenges to Enforcement and Age Verification
The law presents a complex challenge for enforcement, as social media platforms must implement measures to verify ages before granting access to minors. Although the government has assured that personal identification documents will not be required to verify age, the law still poses a question: How will these platforms ensure accurate age verification without infringing on privacy? The law demands that social media giants take “reasonable steps” to ensure children under 16 are not using their services, or face penalties of up to 50 million AUD (around 32.5 million USD).
However, some exceptions exist, such as for messaging apps, educational platforms, and health services, which will be exempt from the age restrictions. Despite this, platforms cannot allow children to join even with parental consent, marking a strict line on user eligibility.
Global Context: Following Other Nations’ Steps
Australia is following in the footsteps of countries like Norway, where the minimum age for using social media is 13. However, the success of such age restrictions has been questioned, with surveys revealing that over 70% of 11-year-olds in Norway still use social media despite legal restrictions. The effectiveness of these laws remains uncertain, especially without clear enforcement measures.
Reactions from Technology Companies
Meta and X have responded cautiously to Australia’s proposed law. Both companies argue that the responsibility for verifying age should lie with app stores like Google Play and App Store, rather than social media platforms themselves. Elon Musk, owner of X, has voiced concerns on social media, suggesting that the law could serve as a “backdoor” method to control internet access for all Australians. He warned that such regulations might restrict internet freedoms across the country.
Meta’s Policy Director in Australia, Mia Garlick, also raised concerns about the practical implications of the law. She pointed out that enforcing age restrictions on every individual platform could place a burden on parents and children, especially if children wish to access multiple social media platforms. This could lead to inconsistent enforcement and make it harder for users to navigate different age restrictions across apps.
