Australia to Ban Under-16s from Social Media Starting December 10
Starting December 10, social media companies in Australia must take steps to prevent users under 16 from creating accounts. Existing accounts for underage users will also need to be deactivated or removed.
This new policy is the first of its kind in the world and is designed to protect children from the pressures and risks associated with social media, including harmful content that can affect their health and wellbeing.
A recent study revealed that 96% of children aged 10-15 use social media, with many exposed to dangerous content like bullying, violence, and material promoting eating disorders and suicide.
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The Australian government has identified ten platforms affected by this ban, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. It is also considering extending the ban to online gaming, prompting platforms like Roblox to implement age checks.
The government will review the list of affected platforms based on whether their main purpose is social interaction and content posting. Platforms like YouTube Kids and WhatsApp are exempt as they don’t meet these criteria.
Enforcement of the Ban
The responsibility for enforcing this ban rests on social media companies, which could face fines of up to $49.5 million for serious violations. The government expects these companies to use age verification methods, although specific ones have not been mandated. Potential methods include government IDs and facial recognition technology.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, plans to begin closing teen accounts from December 4. However, there are concerns that these age verification methods may not accurately distinguish between underage and adult users.
Critics argue that the ban may not effectively reduce online harm to children since it does not cover dating sites, gaming platforms, or AI chatbots, which have been known to engage with minors in harmful ways. They also express worry about the possible isolation of teens who rely on social media for community.
Communications Minister Annika Wells acknowledges that the ban may have flaws, describing it as “not perfect.” She insists that it is a necessary step toward protecting children online, despite concerns over potential data misuse.
The reaction from social media companies has been mostly negative, with many raising issues about the implementation challenges and privacy risks. Some companies argue that the ban could push children toward less safe areas of the internet.
Internationally, other countries are watching closely as they consider how to manage children’s access to social media. While the UK has introduced strict rules to protect young users, Australia’s ban is a unique approach that may inspire similar policies worldwide.
As the ban approaches, some teens are already sharing ways to bypass it, like creating accounts with false information or using VPNs. The government is urging social media platforms to actively monitor for such activities. -BBC
