Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s first eSafety Commissioner, is set to conclude a decade of service in mid-January 2027. Appointed during the tenure of former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Inman Grant has witnessed significant shifts in the digital landscape, including the emergence of platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts. As she prepares to step down, she reflects on the challenges and achievements of her role, which has become increasingly demanding.
Starting on December 10, 2023, a new law will change the landscape of online regulation in Australia. The legislation will raise the minimum age for creating accounts on popular social media platforms from 13 to 16 years. This law applies to ten major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Reddit. The move aims to reduce children’s exposure to harmful content and places significant responsibilities on these platforms, with potential fines of up to $49.5 million for non-compliance.
Inman Grant acknowledges the scrutiny her office will face as the implementation date approaches. The Prime Minister has invested considerable political capital in the success of this initiative, and parents across the nation are watching closely. Tech companies, some valued higher than Australia’s entire gross domestic product, have reluctantly agreed to comply, fearing the law could inspire similar regulations globally.
“This is a pivotal moment,” Inman Grant states. “We are up against the most powerful companies in the world, and while it’s overwhelming, how we navigate this moment is crucial.”
In preparation for the upcoming changes, Inman Grant and her team have anticipated challenges, including teenagers attempting to bypass age restrictions through various means such as virtual private networks and GPS spoofing. “We expect to see users migrate to lesser-known platforms if they feel restricted,” she explains, referencing past trends where users quickly moved to alternatives like Lemon8 during TikTok outages.
The eSafety Commission has expanded significantly since Inman Grant took office, growing from 30 employees and a budget of $10 million to 260 staff members and a budget of $62 million. With a maximum fine potentially equating to nearly 80 percent of the agency’s annual budget, the stakes are high. Inman Grant emphasizes that the focus will be on addressing systemic compliance issues rather than attempting to tackle every platform simultaneously.
Within the eSafety Commission, the newly formed Social Media Age Restriction Team, known as SMART, is tasked with implementing the law. Additionally, an academic advisory group led by Stanford University’s Social Media Lab will monitor and evaluate the law’s effectiveness.
As Australia embarks on this unprecedented regulatory journey, questions remain about the broader implications of the law. Will digital literacy improve? Will young people report fewer encounters with inappropriate content? Inman Grant recognizes the law may impact current teenagers and pre-teens the most, but she believes future generations will reap the benefits. “The advantages will accumulate for younger generations,” she asserts.
Despite the ambitious goals of the new regulations, Inman Grant has faced criticism. Many view the law as a blunt instrument that may not effectively address the complexities of online safety. She actively engages with critics on platforms like LinkedIn, aiming to clarify misconceptions about the law’s intent and function.
“There’s a lot of nuance that people often overlook,” she notes. “We’ve been working on safety by design and fostering digital literacy for a decade. I appreciate constructive dialogue and strive to correct the record where needed.”
Looking ahead, Inman Grant remains uncertain about her next steps post-tenure. After years of working closely with leading tech companies, she expresses a sense of disillusionment. “I once felt inspired by the organizations I worked for, but that passion has diminished,” she admits. “There are very few companies that prioritize protection over profits.”
As Australia navigates this significant regulatory shift, the outcome may set a precedent for other countries grappling with online safety issues. Inman Grant’s leadership will continue to be pivotal in shaping the future of digital safety for Australian youth.
