Prime Minister Anthony Albanese plans to introduce legislation by the end of 2024 that will restrict social media access for individuals under 16, with enforcement beginning a year later. All major platforms will be affected, and existing accounts for underage users must be deleted. Technology companies will be responsible for enforcing compliance, and a new age verification system is being tested. This initiative aims to protect minors, echoing similar restrictions in Spain and France.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has revealed plans to introduce new legislation aimed at restricting social media access for individuals under 16. This bill is expected to be presented to Parliament by the end of 2024, and once passed, it will be enforced one year later. The regulations will impact all major social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.
Importantly, there will be no exceptions to this rule, even if parental permission is granted. Existing accounts held by users under 16 will need to be deleted, raising practical concerns about how this will be managed in reality.
Platform Accountability
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland emphasized that the onus for enforcing this legislation will rest with the technology companies themselves. They will be required to demonstrate that they are taking effective measures to prevent minors from accessing their services. The Australian eSafety Commissioner will oversee the enforcement of these guidelines, and stricter penalties will be imposed on platforms that fail to comply.
Implementing a Verification System
Australia is exploring a “double-blind tokenized” approach for age verification, which would allow a third party to confirm users’ ages without disclosing any additional personal information. Currently, trials are in progress to assess various age verification technologies.
This initiative is not without controversy. Some experts have raised concerns about its effectiveness, suggesting that it may only delay young people’s exposure to social media rather than adequately preparing them for its challenges. Others point out the technical obstacles in circumventing age verification systems. Toby Murray, an associate professor at the University of Melbourne, cautioned, “The government is experimenting with age verification technology. However, we already know that existing methods are often unreliable, easily bypassed, or pose privacy risks for users.”
Similar challenges also arise when trying to restrict access to adult content for minors.
David Coleman, the opposition spokesperson for Australian communications, remarked that children’s engagement with social media is a critical issue today. He called for strong, reliable legislation, asserting that platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram can never be guaranteed to be completely safe for children.
The Rationale Behind the 16-Year Limit
The decision to set the age limit at 16 follows extensive discussions within Australia. The government initially debated between establishing the threshold at 14 or 16, ultimately opting for the latter. This age was selected based on the belief that teenagers under 16 are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of social media on their mental health. Officials contend that by 16, adolescents are better prepared to navigate the complexities and risks associated with these platforms.
International Perspectives: Spain and France
This age restriction aligns with similar measures in other countries, such as Spain, which has also opted for a 16-year limit on social media access. In France, the law prohibits individuals under 15 from registering on social networks without parental consent. The legislation established on July 7, 2023, mandates that platforms verify users’ ages and obtain parental approval. Non-compliance can lead to fines of up to 1% of a platform’s global revenue.