Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Thursday that the government will introduce legislation that will ban children under 16 from using social media platforms. The government says the measures are world-leading and that the ban has the potential to become law towards 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 broader policy package that includes some of the toughest social media regulations ever imposed globally.

Addressing the increasing concerns about the negative impact of social media on children’s physical and mental health, Albanese said at the press conference, “Social media is harming our children and I devote time to it.”

Albanese emphasized that there are particular risks for girls exposed to harmful body image depictions and boys targeted by misogynistic content. He also touched upon the challenges faced by young people during critical stages of growth. “If you’re a 14-year-old, it can be a really difficult time to have this content at a time when life is changing and maturing. “What we do is listen and take action,” he said.

A FIRST IN THE WORLD: AGE VERIFICATION AND NO EXEMPTION

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

The law, which is planned to be submitted to parliament this year, will come into force 12 months after it is approved by MPs. The government’s stance on the issue is also supported by the opposition Liberal Party, which has expressed support for the ban.

“The onus will be on social media platforms to demonstrate that they have taken reasonable steps to block access,” Albanese said. “The responsibility will not be on parents or young people.”

IMPACT ON MAJOR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland announced that the new regulations will apply to major platforms such as Meta’s Instagram and Facebook, ByteDance’s TikTok, Elon Musk’s X and possibly Alphabet’s YouTube. It said the policy aims to protect children from the dangers of online abuse and harmful content, particularly in the context of 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.

INDUSTRIAL CONCERNS

However, Digital Industry Group Inc., which represents companies such as Meta, TikTok, X and Google. (DIGI) expressed concern about the potential consequences of the proposed ban. DIGI Managing Director 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 young people accessing digital platforms is a 20th-century response to 21st-century challenges,” Bose said. He argued that a more balanced approach was needed to create age-appropriate digital spaces rather than blocking access, 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 children under 15 from accessing social media, but users could still bypass this restriction with parental permission.

In the United States, technology companies have for decades been required to obtain parental consent before collecting data from children under 13; This regulation has led to most social media platforms restricting access to children under this age.

What’s more, Australia’s move to regulate social media access for minors is part of a broader trend towards increased scrutiny and regulation of the digital space, with increasing focus on protecting young people from online harm. If approved, the legislation could set a precedent for other countries grappling with similar concerns and spark a global debate about the balance between digital freedom and protecting young users.

The world will watch as Australia takes this important step and test whether such stringent measures can effectively protect children in an increasingly digital age.