Australia is moving closer to implementing what could be the world’s first national ban on social media use by children under 16, marking a potential setback for major platforms like Meta (Facebook, Instagram) and TikTok.
Following the social media ban, analysts have speculated that the findings could help clear a legal pathway for other jurisdictions to follow Australia’s example. This speculation has been raised in the era when nations around the world struggle to figure out how to shield children from harmful content online.
The Age Assurance Technology Trial, which the government commissioned, highlighted that age verification can occur in Australia and be private, strong, and effective.
Tony Allen, the project director of the trial, weighed in on the situation. Allen highlighted that no major technological obstacles prevent 16-year-olds from getting social media accounts. Therefore, based on his argument, these solutions are technically possible, can be easily added to current services, and can help protect children’s safety and rights online.
The trial examined various approaches and technologies, such as facial scans, inferring a user’s age from his or her behavior, age verification, and parental controls.
“We discovered many different methods that work for various situations, but we did not find one solution that would work for every case,” the trial stated.
Australia considered banning social media for kids under 16 after a massive debate consumed the nation. The move sets a standard for other countries worldwide and is one of the most stringent regulations for big tech companies.
According to polls, the ban was opposed by privacy campaigners and some child rights groups, but 77% of the population supported it.
A parliamentary inquiry was held in 2024 to hear from parents whose children had self-harmed as a result of being bullied on social media. In the meantime, the domestic media campaigned for a ban led by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, the largest newspaper publisher in the country, under the banner “Let Them Be Kids.”
This ban was, however, likely to test Australia’s delicate friendship with its most important ally, the United States. Apart from this, the ban had also raised conflict between Australia and some of the tech giants based in the US.
Earlier, Australia forced social media platforms to pay news organizations for their content, and now it wants to fine those companies if they do not take down online scams.
Elon Musk, the owner of X, commented on the situation. In a post, Musk said this seemed like a backdoor method to manage how all Australians access the internet.
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