Australia is set to implement a groundbreaking social media ban for children under the age of 16, starting on December 10, 2023. This initiative aims to deactivate existing accounts and prevent new registrations for users within this age group on various platforms. In a move to enhance online safety for minors, the Australian government has mandated that major social media companies comply with this regulation or face significant penalties.
The ban covers several platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and Reddit. The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, emphasized that companies must demonstrate they have taken “reasonable steps” to enforce this rule. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to $49.5 million AUD.
What Platforms Are Affected?
The initial list of platforms subject to the ban includes:
– Facebook
– Instagram
– TikTok
– Snapchat
– X (formerly Twitter)
– YouTube
– Reddit
– Twitch
– Kick
Additionally, Threads is included due to its requirement for an Instagram account. As the situation evolves, other platforms may be added if they attract underage users following the ban. For example, if children migrate to services like Lemon8, those platforms could also be required to remove accounts for users under 16.
Exempt from the ban are platforms such as Roblox, Pinterest, YouTube Kids, and educational services like Google Classroom. While the government has not finalized the list of exempt platforms, it has indicated that companies will self-assess their need to comply with the new regulations.
Age Verification and Account Management
The methods for age verification will vary by platform, but the government has stipulated that relying solely on ID checks is not acceptable. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has not disclosed its specific verification methods but has indicated that it aims to keep the details confidential to prevent users from circumventing the rules.
For platforms like Snapchat, age checks will utilize behavioral signals and user-provided birth dates. TikTok has announced a “multi-layered approach” combining technology and human moderation to identify accounts belonging to users under 16. Other platforms, including YouTube, are still developing their age verification strategies.
Users under 16 will have the option to either download their content and place their accounts on hold until they reach the age of 16 or delete their accounts entirely. For instance, Snapchat plans to freeze accounts for approximately 440,000 users in Australia aged between 13 and 15, allowing them to reactivate their accounts upon turning 16.
Those mistakenly identified as underage will have recourse through an appeals process. On Meta platforms, users can verify their ages through facial recognition checks or by submitting official identification. Similar processes will be available on Snapchat and TikTok, while YouTube and Kick have yet to clarify their appeal procedures.
There have been discussions around possibly delaying the implementation of this ban. New South Wales Libertarian MP John Ruddick has launched a legal challenge against the legislation, citing concerns over freedom of political communication. Despite these challenges, government officials, including the prime minister and communications minister, have expressed their commitment to the launch date.
While compliance may not be immediate, the government has urged people not to expect a flawless execution on December 10. Inman Grant acknowledged that some platforms may take longer to comply due to their complex operational structures but reassured the public that enforcement would be scaled based on the proportion of underage users on each platform.
As Australia takes this significant step towards safeguarding its youth online, the world will be watching closely to see how effectively these regulations are enforced and what impact they have on social media usage among minors.
