Australia’s states and territories have unanimously backed a national plan to ban children under sixteen from most forms of social media. The ban aims to address the mental health and safety concerns regarding young people’s use of social media platforms, but implementation will bring its own challenges and risks adoption beyond Australia.
Key aspects of the proposed ban
Scope and implementation
The proposed legislation applies to all major social media platforms, such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). It’s expected that the legislation will be introduced in Australia’s Parliament this month, with a one-year grace period for platforms to comply. The ban will not include educational and health services so that children can retain access to essential online resources, though it isn’t clear how this will work practically.
Rationale and support
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has emphasised the need to protect children from the harmful effects of social media, including inappropriate content and cyberbullying. He has hailed the policy as ‘world-leading’, and received broad support from both major political parties, suggesting it will pass through Parliament.
Age verification and privacy
One of the main challenges is age verification. The government is exploring options that include ID checks and biometric data to ensure compliance while maintaining user privacy. The eSafety Commissioner will oversee the implementation and enforcement of these measures.
Implications for social media companies
Implementation challenges
Implementing the ban is difficult for both technological and social reasons. Introducing age verification requires more data collection, which can compromise user privacy and increase the risk of sensitive data being exposed by bad actors. It also might not solve the problem if tech-savvy teenagers decide to exploit potential loopholes. Based on an outright ban, solving either of these situations might prove not only difficult but impossible.
Impact on innovation
Complying with these regulations will require companies to invest resources in age verification systems and teams. This will likely mean diverting funds away from other areas of R&D, or even initiatives that tackle the root causes of harmful content. As a result, the pace of innovation may be reduced, as well as the appetite to remove abuse and harmful content online for those who are above the age limit.
Preventing children from seeking help
There is an argument to be made that banning under-16s from social media could prevent them from tapping into useful support networks. Beyond the negative headlines we see, social media platforms often provide a lifeline for children seeking help, support, and friendship. Excluding children from social media altogether also cuts off many avenues of support they may rely on in difficult situations.
Looking ahead
Market response
Industry players have already expressed concerns about both the feasibility and effectiveness of the ban. Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, has suggested alternatives, such as stronger parental controls and new digital literacy initiatives. Despite this, the government seems steadfast in its current approach.
Risk of contagion for other markets and industries
With these significant regulations likely to soon be adopted in Australia, there is a meaningful probability that it will set a precedent for other countries to follow. This will likely happen if the ban shows early signs of being effective, even if some of the negative implications of the bill are not immediately clear. If nearby countries follow suit, it could lead to a ripple effect across markets worldwide, which would no doubt impact user bases and revenue streams.
Furthermore, a similar approach could also be suggested for other industries, such as instant messaging, gaming, and online streaming. YouTube is already being considered as part of the ban.
Our support
Access Partnership is closely monitoring these developments, including their impact on both people and the tech industry. As world leaders explore how to create a more effective regulatory landscape, we can engage regional governments on the practical implications of a ban and explore better alternatives.
If your company needs guidance on this issue or you are interested in how we can assist you, please contact Ali Azeem at [email protected].
