Children across Australia awoke on Wednesday to find themselves locked out of their social media accounts, as a groundbreaking ban aimed at protecting those under 16 from addictive algorithms, online predators, and digital bullies took effect. This unprecedented move has captured global attention, with lawmakers worldwide closely monitoring its implementation.
Among the ten platforms affected by the ban are Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Snapchat, YouTube, TikTok, Kick, Reddit, Twitch, and X. These platforms have committed to using age verification technology to identify and suspend accounts belonging to under-16s. However, many of these companies remain skeptical about the ban’s effectiveness in enhancing children’s safety.
Government’s Perspective and Legislative Details
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has already declared the ban a success, citing increased family discussions about social media usage as a positive outcome. Despite expectations that some children and their parents may attempt to bypass the restrictions, there are currently no penalties for doing so.
“We’ve said very clearly that this won’t be perfect… but it’s the right thing to do for society to express its views, its judgment, about what is appropriate,” Albanese stated in an interview with ABC.
Under the new law, social media platforms must demonstrate they have taken “reasonable steps” to deactivate accounts used by under-16s and prevent the creation of new accounts. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($32 million).
Platform Responses and Compliance Strategies
Each platform has devised its own approach to comply with the legislation. Snapchat, for instance, will suspend accounts for three years or until the user turns 16. YouTube plans to sign out account holders on December 10, preserving their data for future reactivation. TikTok will deactivate accounts on the same date, irrespective of the email or name used, relying on its age verification technology.
Meanwhile, Twitch will prevent new account creation by under-16s starting December 10, but existing accounts will remain active until January 9. Meta has already begun removing accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, offering users the chance to download their content for future reactivation. Reddit will suspend under-16 accounts and block new registrations, while X has expressed strong opposition to the legislation, citing concerns over free speech.
Exemptions and Controversies
Notably, some platforms are not included in the ban, such as Discord, GitHub, Google Classroom, LEGO Play, Messenger, Pinterest, Roblox, Steam, WhatsApp, and YouTube Kids. The exclusion of Roblox has sparked debate, especially given recent allegations of child predators within its games.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant revealed that discussions with Roblox began in June, leading to the introduction of new controls. These changes, rolling out in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands this month, require users to verify their age to enable chat functions, ensuring communication only occurs between users of similar ages.
Age Verification and Privacy Concerns
The law mandates platforms to actively verify users’ ages, raising privacy concerns among adult users. The government’s Age Assurance Technology Trial earlier this year concluded that age checks could be conducted without compromising privacy. Platforms are employing methods such as live video selfies, email verification, or official documents to confirm ages. Yoti, an age verification company, reports that most users prefer video selfies, which estimate age using facial data points.
Children’s Reactions and Alternative Platforms
In response to the ban, some children are seeking alternative platforms that offer similar services but are not yet banned. Yope, a photo-sharing app, has reportedly gained 100,000 new Australian users through word of mouth. Lemon8, a TikTok-like platform, has also been promoted as a backup option among teens.
Both platforms have received notices from the eSafety Commissioner. Lemon8 has agreed to comply with the new laws, while Yope maintains that the ban does not apply to it, as it does not permit messaging with strangers. The evolving list of banned sites and the emergence of new alternatives have led to criticism that the government is engaged in a “whack-a-mole” game it may never win.
Future Implications and Monitoring
The primary goal of the ban is to encourage children to engage more with the real world. Officials plan to assess its impact by examining various factors, such as changes in sleep patterns, social interactions, antidepressant usage, reading habits, and physical activity.
“We’ll be looking at everything from are kids sleeping more, are they interacting more? Are they taking fewer antidepressants? Are they reading more books? Are they going outside doing sports?” eSafety Commissioner Inman-Grant explained during the Sydney Dialogue.
However, there is also concern about potential unintended consequences, such as children migrating to less regulated digital spaces. Six experts from Stanford University’s Social Media Lab will collaborate with the eSafety Commissioner to gather data, with an independent Academic Advisory Group overseeing the process. Stanford University plans to publish its findings for public and academic scrutiny.
