UPDATE: Australia’s pioneering social media ban for users under 16 is set to begin on December 10, but critical concerns are emerging about its potential effectiveness. Senior Liberal figure Melissa McIntosh warns that the absence of clear age verification methods may undermine the law before it even takes effect.
From December 10, platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and others will enforce age restrictions, deactivating or deleting accounts belonging to users under 16. McIntosh, the opposition communications spokeswoman, states that it’s “extraordinary” that the Albanese Labor Government has yet to clarify essential aspects of the ban just weeks before implementation.
Authorities are struggling with transparency on whether platforms can require digital identification for age verification. Current legislation prohibits the use of government IDs for this purpose, leaving platforms to determine their compliance through “reasonable steps” to remove underage users. Methods suggested by the eSafety website for age verification include analyzing “age-related signals” like interaction history and school schedules, as well as “location-related signals” such as IP addresses.
At a press conference, Communications Minister Anika Wells emphasized the law’s goal: to allow children up to 36 months to cultivate resilience before they engage with social media. However, McIntosh insists that without a comprehensive public education campaign, the government risks failing to inform citizens adequately about these significant changes.
The government recently launched a campaign titled ‘For The Good Of’ to educate parents and children about the new law. Since its inception, over 200,000 Australians have accessed the eSafety website to learn more about the upcoming regulations. Wells expressed optimism, saying, “Now is the time for people with under-16s in their lives to start having conversations about what the new law means for them.”
As the countdown to December 10 continues, young people anticipating account deactivation are urged to prepare by backing up their content and exploring alternative ways to stay connected. With only a month to go, the urgency is palpable, and the impact of these changes will be felt across Australian society.
As concerns mount and preparations ramp up, all eyes will be on the government’s next steps. Will they clarify the age verification process in time for the ban? Stakeholders and parents alike await crucial developments as the deadline approaches.
