Australia has taken a bold step in its efforts to protect children from the harmful effects of social media, passing a law that will prevent anyone under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. This legislation, which has been hailed as the strictest of its kind globally, passed through Parliament with strong bipartisan support, and is set to take effect in approximately one year. The law represents a watershed moment in the ongoing battle to safeguard children from the increasingly pervasive influence of social media in their lives.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been one of the primary advocates for the bill, stating that it is vital to protect children from the “harms” that come with social media use. He emphasized the need for action to address issues such as cyberbullying, mental health challenges, and online addiction. Many parents and child advocacy groups have applauded the move, arguing that it provides much-needed protection for young people who are often vulnerable to the negative aspects of online platforms. “We want our kids to have a childhood, and parents to know we have their backs,” Albanese remarked in a statement following the bill’s passage in the Senate.
The law passed with a clear majority in the Senate, and it was approved shortly thereafter by the House of Representatives. While the bill is a major victory for those pushing for stronger protections for children, it has raised significant concerns about its potential consequences and the practical challenges it will face. The legislation is notably sweeping, as it does not provide any exemptions for children who are already using social media platforms or those with parental consent. This makes Australia the first country to set the minimum age for social media use at 16, a threshold that far surpasses similar laws in other nations.
The legislation leaves several important details up to the government’s communications minister, Michelle Rowland, including which specific platforms will be banned. While platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and X are expected to be targeted, websites that do not require users to create accounts, such as YouTube, will likely be exempt. Furthermore, gaming and messaging platforms will also remain unaffected by the law. The government has indicated that age-verification systems will be used to enforce the ban, with social media companies expected to implement these technologies themselves. These systems could include biometric identification or the use of government-issued identity documents, but many have questioned how effective these technologies will be.
One major concern is that the law could be easily circumvented by children using VPNs, which can hide their location and make it appear as though they are accessing the internet from a different country. While the law places the responsibility for enforcement on the platforms, it is unclear how these companies will ensure compliance and prevent children from finding ways around the restrictions. Critics have also voiced concerns about the privacy implications of the required age-verification systems, especially if they involve the collection of sensitive personal data.
Despite these concerns, public opinion in Australia appears to favor the legislation, with polling indicating broad support among parents. Advocates for the law argue that it offers a much-needed solution to the dilemma many parents face: either allow their children to access addictive social media platforms or risk isolating them from their peers. “For too long, parents have had this impossible choice,” said Amy Friedlander, one of the leading voices in the campaign for the ban. “We’ve been trapped in a norm that no one wants to be a part of.”
However, many experts in the field of digital rights and child protection have expressed reservations about the law, calling it overly simplistic and potentially counterproductive. They argue that while the intentions behind the law are commendable, it may fail to address the deeper issues associated with social media use and could inadvertently push children toward less regulated parts of the internet. Some have also pointed out that the law could lead to a situation where children bypass the restrictions and engage in even riskier online behavior.
The reaction from tech companies has been predictably critical, with giants like Google, Meta, and Snap questioning the lack of clarity in the bill and its potential impact
