Australia’s Social Media Ban for Children: What We Know So Far

Published 4 października, 2024

Words by Aiste Joksaite

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Australia is joining the many countries that are implementing stricter age verification regulations with its announcement of a potential ban that would prevent children and younger teens from accessing social media. This has sparked debate on whether age restrictions can truly be enforced. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has committed to introducing legislation by the end of 2024 to block children—likely those under 14 to 16—from social media platforms. While this move is aimed at protecting young users from harmful online content, it faces significant challenges related to enforcement, privacy, and effectiveness.

Why Is Australia Considering a Ban on Social Media?

The Albanese government’s proposal comes during growing concerns about the impact of social media on children, from exposure to inappropriate content to the mental health effects of excessive use. In a $6.5 million initiative funded in May 2024, the government began trialing age verification technology as part of a broader plan to introduce stricter controls for social media companies.

Australia is not the only country grappling with this issue. South Australia recently announced plans to restrict access to social media for those under 14, and earlier in the year, the Coalition proposed banning users under 16 within the first 100 days if it wins the next election. Globally, other countries such as the UK and the US have also explored similar initiatives regarding how children access social media.

How Could the Ban Be Enforced?

One of the biggest questions is how Australia will verify users’ ages on social media platforms and enforce the minimum age limit. As many lawmakers believe present age verification methods are ineffective. Based on the experiences of other countries, a few potential methods are being considered, including:

• Mobile provider or bank verification
• Uploading photo ID
• Facial age estimation technology

While these methods are being trialed, none have proven to be completely reliable or straightforward. In the UK, age verification laws have faced delays and privacy concerns, and in the US, states like Utah and Louisiana saw a surge in the usage of virtual private networks as users sought ways to bypass age restrictions. This highlights the challenge of enforcing such laws, particularly with tech-savvy younger users.

In Australia, the eSafety commissioner has recommended a „double-blind tokenized approach,” where proof-of-age information is transferred between sites and third-party providers to maintain user privacy. Another possibility could involve device-level verification, where companies like Google and Apple are responsible for confirming the ages of users downloading specific apps and excluding young people.

Age Verification Methods

The implementation of effective age verification methods, however, could minimise the concerns and provide a safer environment for children online. Let’s take a closer look at the current best methods available.

ID-based Age Verification

ID-based age verification operates similarly to identity verification, requiring users to submit a photo of themselves along with their identity document for biometric comparison. This process is quick, taking less than 60 seconds, and ensures zero tolerance for fraud, thanks to Ondato’s advanced system.

Age Estimation

Age estimation technology reduces the need for identity documents by using biometric data to categorize individuals into age groups. Ondato can onboard most users without additional documentation, requiring identification only if further verification is necessary.

Concerns and Risks

Enforcing an age ban on social media presents several obstacles, particularly when dealing with global platforms not based in Australia. Former high court chief justice Robert French, who led South Australia’s review of its proposed restrictions, acknowledged that compliance from international companies will be difficult, but he argued that even imperfect solutions are worth pursuing. 

One of the most significant concerns with the goal to enforce age limits is the potential invasion of user privacy. Requiring platforms to collect identification data from all users—not just those under a certain age—raises the risk of cyber-attacks.

There’s also worries that this will push minors to lower quality online spaces with less safeguarding. According to Daniel Angus, who leads the digital media research centre at Queensland University of Technology it „threatens to create serious harm by excluding young people from meaningful, healthy participation in the digital world.”

What’s Next for Social Media Platforms?

If the proposed laws go ahead, social media companies could face fines for failing to comply with age verification requirements. The Online Safety Act already allows the eSafety commissioner to impose penalties, and these powers are currently being tested in court against the platform X (formerly known as Twitter).

Additionally, legislation will likely need to address broader internet use, including search engines and gaming platforms, which are also frequently used by younger people.

Last Thoughts

The Australian government’s plan to limit young people’s access to social media faces multiple hurdles, from enforcement issues to privacy concerns. While the government is taking steps to protect younger users, the effectiveness of these measures remains uncertain. As the UK and US experiences have shown, implementing age verification mandates is far from straightforward. Privacy, technical limitations, and the global nature of social media platforms make it difficult to craft a foolproof system.

However, as the debate continues, one thing is clear: the conversation around keeping children safe online is more important than ever. Whether this proposed ban becomes law or not, the issue of how to protect young people in the digital age will remain at the forefront of policy discussions for years to come.

Published 4 października, 2024

Words by Aiste Joksaite

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