On December 10, Australian law establishes a significant rule: kids under 16 years old can no longer maintain social media accounts. This groundbreaking decision places the responsibility of enforcement squarely on tech companies like Meta and X. For the first time, parents cannot simply consent to allow their children on these platforms.
The Australian government has made this choice to safeguard children’s wellbeing, mental health, and physical safety. They emphasize that social media companies have not sufficiently protected kids using their platforms.
This ban affects all major social media platforms, which include:
- TikTok
- SnapChat
- YouTube
- Threads
- X
- Twitch
- Kick
Interestingly, certain interactive segments of the internet, such as gaming platforms and AI chatbots, are exempt from this ban.
For children who already possess social media accounts, it’s advised to save any media they wish to keep before losing access later this month. Tech companies are also exploring methods to comply with this new law, employing tools like ID verification and facial recognition technology to ensure compliance. Companies that fail to take “reasonable” measures to restrict youth access may face fines of up to $32 million.
The effectiveness of this ban remains uncertain. Experts warn that kids have always found ways to bypass restrictions online. Additionally, it may not suit tech companies’ interests to block young users from their services.
Despite these challenges, Australian lawmakers seem resolute in addressing the well-documented harmful impacts of social media on children. “We will not be intimidated by legal challenges. We will not be intimidated by Big Tech. On behalf of Australian parents, we stand firm,” voiced Communications Minister Anika Wells in Parliament, as reported by ABC News.
This strong stance underlines Australia’s history of taking bold actions to protect its youth. For instance, following the tragic Port Arthur massacre in 1996, the country rapidly established the National Firearms Agreement, tightening gun laws and initiating a buy-back program. This decision has led to a significant drop in gun violence and a lack of school shooting incidents, a contrast to the ongoing struggles in the United States.
As the ban launches later this month, American parents will undoubtedly be observing the outcomes closely.
Furthermore, Malaysia has announced plans to implement a similar ban on users under 16, set to begin next year.
