Australia Launches Global Initiative to Limit Kids’ Social Media Access
Australia is set to prohibit its youth from using popular platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, marking a historic move as the first democracy to implement such a ban in light of increasing worries regarding the negative impacts of social media. It is probable that this will be the first of numerous instances. The platforms will be mandated by law to prevent individuals under the age of 16 from creating accounts starting December 10. Companies that fail to adhere to this regulation may incur penalties of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million). The measures are prompting a growing number of governments to pursue accountability from social media companies regarding harmful content and cyberbullying. Interviews with policymakers from Jakarta to Copenhagen and Brasilia reveal that they are closely monitoring the rollout in Australia and strategizing their own initiatives to safeguard young users, a vital demographic for Big Tech.
“I was super envious when they announced it,” stated Caroline Stage Olsen. “Fundamentally, it’s a really important step.” Although data regarding the global number of under-16s on social media is limited, source indicates that approximately one in ten US users are under 18. In certain populous emerging markets such as Brazil, individuals under the age of 18 constitute nearly one in five. The number of users, along with the duration of their engagement on platforms, is essential for social media companies, as advertising constitutes the majority of their revenue. Curtailing teens’ access could jeopardize a portion of the more than $245 billion EMarketer estimates the industry will generate this year from over 4 billion users worldwide. Australia’s position as a leader is not guaranteed, as technology experts warn that teenagers may discover methods to bypass the regulations. However, if they are compelled to wait until they are older to participate, some may ultimately choose to forgo the services entirely. “As more governments look to tighten social media age limits, this could lead to a global patchwork of age assurance or verification rules for platforms,” stated Abigail Chen. “This fragmentation would make compliance more costly and challenging.” Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has committed to adhering to the new legislation. However, the company argues that there are more effective ways for parents to manage their children’s online access. They express concerns that the ban may be challenging to enforce and could inadvertently push children towards more dangerous areas of the internet. TikTok-owner ByteDance Ltd. has stated its intention to comply with the law while contending that age restrictions are not effective.
Meanwhile, both Snap Inc. and Google’s YouTube have denied being classified as social media platforms, although the former stated it will adhere to the new law. Requests for comment regarding compliance from Google and Elon Musk’s X went unanswered. Companies also highlight the enduring safety measures implemented on their platforms aimed at safeguarding young individuals. In a clear indication of the focus platforms are placing on the matter, Snap co-founder Evan Spiegel engaged in a personal meeting with Communications Minister Anika Wells in Australia in October, as reported by a source. A successful implementation of restrictions, however, would likely enhance global momentum. Australia has previously taken the lead in industry regulation, exemplified by its 2012 decision to mandate plain packaging for cigarettes, a move that was subsequently adopted by numerous countries, including France and Canada. “There’s a sense of urgency that governments need to figure out appropriate ways to regulate this technology,” said Michael Posner. “It’s happening very quickly.” Australia’s clampdown commenced when the spouse of Peter Malinauskas, the leader of South Australia state, perused The Anxious Generation, a bestseller released last year by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt. The book, in which Haidt contends that children’s excessive social media and smartphone use has precipitated an unparalleled mental health crisis, ignited public discourse on safeguarding young people from the detrimental effects of technology. “I’ll never forget it,” Malinauskas said in an interview.
“She put it down and turned to me and said: ‘You have to bloody do something about this.’” Malinauskas proposed state age restrictions in September 2024, and a federal law passed just two months later — a pace he characterized as “warp-speed reform.” Tech firms and outside groups voiced their concerns, stating that the legislation was expedited without sufficient consultation. “Urgency was required,” Malinauskas stated. “We now know that social media platforms were seeking to industrialize addiction. That invites a response from the government.” Parents who have lost children to the tragic effects of cyberbullying were instrumental in advocating for new legislation. Among those affected is Emma Mason, who serves as both a parent of a victim and a children’s lawyer in the rural town of Bathurst. Mason’s daughter, Tilly, tragically took her own life in 2022 at the age of 15 after enduring bullying on platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook. According to her mother, classmates sent messages from parties to which Tilly had not been invited, circulated a fake image that claimed to show her nude, and urged her to end her life. Mason contends that social media platforms bear responsibility for their involvement in Tilly’s death. In September, she spoke at an event at the United Nations, calling on other nations to emulate Australia’s example, receiving a standing ovation from the audience, which featured European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “This is unparalleled harm that our children have been exposed to and I’m just not putting up with it anymore,” Mason stated in an interview. A spokesperson remarks made by a company executive last year during an Australian parliamentary inquiry examining the impact of social media on society. In response to inquiries regarding Tilly’s death, the executive referred to it as a tragedy and emphasized that Snap is committed to combating bullying, noting that the platform has taken steps in recent years to facilitate the reporting of such behavior.
“What happened to the Mason family was a tragedy and our hearts go out to them and anyone affected by these difficult and complex issues,” a Meta spokesperson stated. Although a 2024 poll indicated that a significant number of Australians are in favor of the ban, certain advocacy groups caution that the regulations could lead to unintended consequences, including cutting off vital support for marginalized youths or driving them towards more perilous platforms. “LGBTQA+ young people in particular have spoken about how they find connection and community on social media,” said Nikita. “With the ban, that will be taken away.” The ease with which age-verification technologies could potentially be bypassed remains uncertain. The ban has faced criticism for not adequately addressing the production of harmful material itself. “It’s the content that’s the problem, not our access to that content,” stated Patrick Jones. Arturo Béjar dedicated six years to his position as director of engineering at Meta, where he held the responsibility for user safety. In a subsequent role as a consultant focusing on user well-being for Instagram, he states that he presented internal research to Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg and other executives, revealing that one in eight children under 16 on the platform reported having received unwanted sexual advances in the past week. Béjar departed from Meta in 2021 and subsequently provided testimony to the US Senate, asserting that Meta had not implemented adequate measures to ensure the safety of teenagers. “When a company will not do what’s needed, it’s really the government’s job to protect our kids,” Béjar said. A Meta spokesperson stated that the company contests Béjar’s claims and has introduced numerous safety features for young users on Instagram throughout the years. In the United States, social media companies have faced challenges in certain states, yet the federal government has not enacted substantial regulations to impose additional safeguards.
Meanwhile, certain emerging markets — which host substantial, youthful user bases crucial for the growth of tech giants — are starting to exert legal influence. Starting in March, Brazil will mandate that children under the age of 16 may only have social media accounts associated with their legal guardians. According to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Malaysia will begin banning accounts for individuals under the age of 16 next year. Indonesia has declared that individuals under the age of 18 will require parental consent. “We have learned a great deal from Australia,” stated Meutya Hafid. Spain and New Zealand have shown interest in emulating Australia’s approach, while policymakers in Singapore have indicated their willingness to consider minimum-age laws. In Denmark, lawmakers have recently reached an agreement to prohibit access to social media for individuals under the age of 15, with the exception of 13- and 14-year-olds who have obtained parental consent. While legislation remains under consideration, Stage Olsen, the digital affairs minister, expressed her ambition for more comprehensive, EU-wide regulations. “It’s our fault, as politicians and as parents, for not setting proper boundaries and not realizing how incredibly powerful a tool we’ve unleashed,” she stated.
