“Banning social media entirely is a short-term solution that overlooks the need for comprehensive education about responsible internet use.” – Dr. Annabelle Skelton, a child psychologist based in Sydney
Australia’s Senate has approved sweeping legislation that could radically change the social media landscape for young Australians. The country’s new law, expected to come into effect within the next year, will prevent children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. With the bill now on its way to the House of Representatives for final approval, Australia is set to implement the world’s strictest social media age restrictions. This legislative move has sparked a global debate on the balance between child safety, privacy, and freedom in the digital age.
A Bold Move to Protect Children?
The proposed legislation has been championed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who argues that the new rules are a necessary response to the increasing risks that social media poses to young people. “This is a global problem and we want young Australians essentially to have a childhood,” Albanese stated during the bill’s introduction. “We want parents to have peace of mind.” For many parents, the new law promises relief from the pressure of managing their children’s social media use, which has become a pervasive issue in modern childhood.
Polls show that a majority of Australian parents support the legislation, with one activist, Amy Friedlander, noting, “For too long, parents have had this impossible choice between giving in and getting their child an addictive device or seeing their child isolated.”
This comes at a moment where over 60% children face bullies or abuse from social media!
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The bill, which passed the Senate by a vote of 34 to 19, would impose substantial fines of up to A$50 million ($32.5 million) on tech companies that fail to comply with the new rules. The legislation gives the government the power to impose restrictions on any social media platform, but excludes gaming and messaging platforms. The rules will not apply to websites that do not require an account, meaning YouTube, for example, may avoid the ban. The specifics of enforcement will be determined by Australia’s communications minister, in consultation with the eSafety Commissioner, the country’s internet regulator.
A Narrow Window for Tech Companies
Tech companies are expected to implement age-verification processes to enforce the ban. This could involve biometric scans or the collection of identity information to confirm the age of users. However, digital researchers have expressed concerns over the reliability of these technologies. “There are no guarantees that the unspecified age-verification systems will work,” warned Dr. Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner. “The risk of circumventing these measures through VPNs or other privacy tools is real.”
Despite these concerns, the Australian government maintains that the onus will be on social media companies to develop effective measures. If platforms fail to comply, they could face hefty fines. But critics argue that the legislation is too vague and could create loopholes that might allow underage users to continue accessing social media without consequences.
For instance, platforms like Google, Meta (Facebook), and Snap have voiced their disapproval of the legislation. Meta criticized the bill for being “ineffective” in making children safer, while Google and Snap pointed out the lack of specific details regarding implementation. TikTok, which is particularly popular among younger users, argued that the government’s definition of a social media platform was so broad it could apply to almost any online service, not just traditional social media platforms. X (formerly Twitter) raised concerns about the potential conflict between the new law and international regulations, including human rights treaties that Australia has signed.
Research by Eli George and Jon Haidt in 2023 titled “Do the Kids Think They’re Alright?” published in After Babel shows the devastating impact of social media on Australian children
Impact on Privacy and Social Connection
While the bill is lauded by some for its potential to protect children from harmful content, experts warn that it could have unintended consequences. By restricting social media access, children may be pushed into less regulated corners of the internet, such as forums or alternative platforms that do not adhere to the same safeguards. This could expose them to even greater risks, including online bullying, extremist content, and inappropriate material that may not be as tightly controlled as mainstream platforms.
Youth advocates have expressed concerns that the legislation is overly paternalistic, failing to recognize the important role social media plays in the lives of many young people. The eSafety Youth Council, which advises the Australian government on digital safety issues, has called for more involvement from young people in shaping such policies. “We understand we are vulnerable to the risks and negative impacts of social media, but we need to be involved in developing solutions,” the Council stated in its submission to the government.
Some experts argue that the focus should shift from a blanket ban to more nuanced approaches that promote digital literacy and responsibility among children. Dr. Annabelle Skelton, a child psychologist based in Sydney, suggests that “Banning social media entirely is a short-term solution that overlooks the need for comprehensive education about responsible internet use.” She adds that a better approach would involve schools and parents working together to teach children how to navigate the digital world safely, rather than pushing them away from it entirely.
Global Reactions and Future Implications
The Australian legislation is being closely watched by global leaders. Countries such as Norway have indicated an interest in implementing similar measures, while the UK has suggested that a similar ban could be “on the table.”
Last year, France introduced legislation to block children under 15 from using social media without parental consent, but studies showed that many users found ways to bypass the restrictions using VPNs.
In the United States, a similar law in Utah was recently overturned by a federal judge on constitutional grounds, raising questions about the legal challenges such a ban might face.
The international reaction to Australia’s new law will likely have far-reaching implications for global digital policy. If the legislation proves successful in protecting children without compromising privacy, other countries may follow suit.
However, the law’s critics warn that it may set a troubling precedent for government overreach in regulating the internet, with consequences for free expression and privacy rights.
For now, Australia’s bold stance on social media regulation represents a significant step in the ongoing global conversation about the role of technology in children’s lives. It is clear that the conversation is far from over, and the world will be watching closely to see how this ambitious experiment unfolds.
