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Australia is poised to implement a groundbreaking ban on social media access for children under the age of 16, set to take effect on December 10th. The sweeping legislation requires major tech platforms to verify user ages adn remove accounts belonging to individuals who haven’t yet reached their 16th birthday, with potential fines of up to $49.5 million for non-compliance.
The Australian government’s move aims to protect young people from the potential harms of social media, but raises complex questions about implementation, user data, and potential legal challenges.
Which Platforms Are Affected?
The initial list of platforms subject to the ban includes some of the world’s most popular social networks: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick.
Age Verification: A Complex Challenge
Platforms may be asked to self-assess and seek clarification from the eSafety commissioner regarding their compliance obligations, particularly if they reach a notable level of Australian user engagement. A key stipulation is that age verification cannot rely solely on ID requests.
How Will Age Verification Work?
The specifics of age verification remain largely undisclosed, with platforms adopting varying approaches. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has declined to reveal its methods, citing concerns that doing so would help teenagers bypass the ban. Snapchat has indicated it will employ “a variety of ways” to check ages, including age assurance measures and ID verification, but has yet to provide detailed plans. TikTok has committed to a “multi-layered approach” utilizing “various technologies and signals” to confirm user ages, promising further details before the December 10th deadline.
The remaining platforms have not yet announced their implementation strategies.
What Happens to Existing accounts?
For users under 16,the options vary by platform. Facebook and Instagram will allow teens to download their data and either delete their accounts or put them on hold until they reach the age of 16. TikTok will offer users the option to deactivate or delete their accounts, with the ability to archive existing content.Snapchat plans to disable and lock accounts, offering a “frozen state” for reactivation once a user turns 16, a measure expected to impact approximately 440,000 Australian users aged 13-15. The fate of teen accounts on other platforms remains unclear.
Appealing Incorrect Age Assessments
Individuals over 16 who are incorrectly flagged as underage will have the opportunity to appeal. Meta will utilize Yoti’s facial assurance check – requiring a video selfie – or accept government ID as proof of age. TikTok has promised a “simple appeals process,” though specifics are still forthcoming. Other platforms are yet to outline their appeal procedures.
Legal Challenges Loom
The ban is not without its detractors. YouTube has threatened a High Court challenge,though has not yet initiated legal action. The company has not indicated whether it will comply with the new regulations. NSW Libertarian MP John Ruddick has also announced his intention to launch a High Court challenge, arguing the ban infringes on freedom of political communication.
though, Meta, TikTok, Snap, and Kick have all publicly stated their intention to comply with the legislation. X and Reddit were approached for comment.
The implementation of this landmark legislation will be closely watched globally, as other nations grapple with the challenges of protecting children in the digital age. The coming weeks will be critical in determining how effectively the ban can be enforced and whether it will achieve its intended goal of creating a safer online surroundings for young Australians.
