Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Thursday that the government will introduce legislation to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms. The government describes the measures as world-leading, with the ban set to become law by the end of next year.

In preparation for the ban, Australia is trialling an age verification system designed to prevent minors from accessing social media. The move is part of a wider suite of policies that include some of the toughest social media regulations imposed globally to date.

“Social media is harming our children and it takes time,” Albanese said during a press conference, citing growing concerns about the negative impact on children’s physical and mental health.

Albanese highlighted the particular risks for girls exposed to harmful portrayals of body image and for boys targeted by misogynistic content. He also highlighted the challenges faced by young people at critical stages of growth. “If you’re a 14-year-old receiving this content, at a time when you’re going through life changes and maturing, it can be a very difficult time. What we do is listen and act,” he said.

A GLOBAL PREMIUM: AGE VERIFICATION AND NO EXCEPTIONS

Australia’s planned policy is seen as a global first, not only because of the age limit, but because it will enforce the ban using advanced age verification methods such as biometrics or government-issued identification – techniques no other country has he still had them. tried. Additionally, Australia’s proposal includes the highest age limit for social media access globally, with no exceptions for parental consent or pre-existing accounts.

The legislation, due to be introduced in parliament this year, will come into effect 12 months after it is ratified by MPs. The government’s position on the issue is further supported by the opposition Liberal Party, which has expressed its support for the ban.

“The onus will be on social media platforms to demonstrate that they are taking reasonable steps to prevent access,” explained Albanese. “It won’t go back to the parents or the young people.”

IMPACT ON MAJOR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland clarified that the new regulations will apply to major platforms such as Instagram and Facebook Meta, ByteDance’s TikTok, Elon Musk’s X and possibly Alphabet’s YouTube. She noted that the policy aims to protect children from the dangers of online exploitation and harmful content, particularly amid growing concerns about mental health and digital wellbeing.

TikTok declined to comment on the announcement, while Meta, Alphabet and X did not respond to requests for comment.

INDUSTRY CONCERNS

However, Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI), which represents companies such as Meta, TikTok, X and Google, expressed concern about the potential consequences of the proposed ban. DIGI CEO Sunita Bose warned that the legislation could push young people into darker, unregulated corners of the internet, cutting off their access to support networks and valuable online resources.

“Keeping young people safe online is a top priority, but the proposed ban on teen access to digital platforms is a 20th-century response to 21st-century challenges,” Bose said. She argued that instead of blocking access, a more balanced approach is needed to create age-appropriate digital spaces, promote digital literacy and protect young people from online harm.

GLOBAL CONTEXT: FRANCE AND THE UNITED STATES

Australia’s proposed ban follows similar efforts in other countries to regulate social media use among young people. Last year, France proposed banning access to social media for children under 15, although users could still bypass the restriction with parental consent.

In the United States, technology companies have been required for decades to seek parental consent before collecting data from children under 13, a regulation that has led most social media platforms to restrict access to children under that age.

Additionally, Australia’s move to regulate minors’ access to social media is part of a wider trend of increasing control and regulation of the digital space, with an increasing focus on protecting young people from online harm. If the legislation passes, it could set a precedent for other countries facing similar concerns, sparking a global conversation about the balance between digital freedom and the protection of young users.

The world will be watching as Australia takes this important step, testing whether such strict measures can effectively protect children in an increasingly digital age.