Australia is set to be the first country in the world to implement a law prohibiting all social media use by anyone under the age of 16. This historic step is intended to safeguard young people from the dangers of online social media sites. Expected to go into effect on December 10. Additionally, the law requires social media companies to verify the ages and identities of their users. This foundational move has created a frenzied firestorm of debate among thought leaders, parent advocates and youth.
John Pane, a global data privacy professional from Electronic Frontiers Australia, highlighted the complexities involved in enforcing such a ban. He expects that despite the good intentions of such legislation, some young people will still be able to get around the prohibitive measures. This policy has huge implications. It follows a series of tragic incidents linked to social media, including the deeply saddening story of 15-year-old Tilly Mason who died by suicide after suffering extreme online abuse.
Emma Mason, Tilly’s mother, has become an outspoken advocate for social media regulation following her daughter’s death. All eyes were on her as she addressed the United Nations General Assembly. Her moving testimony underscored the often life-threatening consequences social media is having on our young people today. As her testimony illustrates so well, urgent protective measures are needed in our workplaces.
The Mechanics of the Ban
The new law requires tech companies to implement one of three approaches to verify their users’ ages. They need to be verifying the identity of the users. These approaches include obtaining a trusted source of identification documents and leveraging facial recognition technology to approximate age. They can estimate age based on patterns of online behavior and social networks. This framework is a positive step towards mitigating minors’ access to detrimental content.
Even with the government’s best intentions, Pane cautioned that young people determined to avoid these restrictions could be very creative. As he pointed out to Sesame Street in Communities, “Kids today are amazeballs, amazeballs, amazeballs smart,” and they’ve figured the digital space out.
“You can get a VPN, you can use TOR as a browser, you can get your brother to sit in front of the webcam for you to take a photo.” – John Pane
As conversations are just beginning about the practical application of this ban, advocates, community members and service operators have started to express their hopes and concerns. Josh Burns, MP In introducing debate on this bill, I want to acknowledge that the roll out is not perfect. Nevertheless, he cautioned against leaving the impression that we can do without such legislation.
“Just because the policy isn’t going to be perfect on day one doesn’t mean you don’t try something,” – Josh Burns
Perspectives from Young People
Youth activists have responded positively and with some disappointment regarding the new announced ban. Addy, a 15-year-old environmentalist from Queensland, asked the most critical question. If the policies that require us confirming identities by images or government issued identification is challenging our known safety protocols. Her concerns are indicative of a growing distrust among young people when it comes to privacy and security in our highly digital society.
Sebastian, 14, from Western Australia, further raised loopholes within the ban. He asked to hear how his colleagues could go undetected while bypassing sanctions through mechanisms like virtual private networks (VPNs). His questions highlight a legitimate, but understandable fear that many young people have about how new regulations will affect their online experiences.
Stella is an avid YouTuber and content creator. She lamented how this ban would cut her off from meaningful opportunities for expansion and networking in the digital landscape. Many young creators rely on social media platforms for their livelihoods and personal expression, raising concerns about the balance between safety and freedom.
The Broader Implications of Regulation
Emma Mason’s advocacy reminds us of the tremendous, sometimes harmful influence that social media can have on at-risk teens. She referred to the climate that Tilly experienced on social media as a “very destructive place,” where she endured non-stop harassment. Her personal tragedy is a call to action to strengthen regulatory frameworks across the world that will prevent other children from suffering similar fates.
“This social experiment that we’ve not known that we were a part of is destroying our children,” – Emma Mason
Mason’s sentiments resonate with many parents who worry about their children’s online interactions. She stressed that even if rules are not complied with all the time, having them in place is key to ensuring public safety.
“We have rules about alcohol, we have rules about cigarettes… just because the policy isn’t going to be perfect on day one doesn’t mean you don’t try something,” – Emma Mason
Meanwhile, Australia is preparing to impose a much broader social media ban. Observers such as T4’s Ange Lavoipierre can’t wait to see how the transition goes. She cast doubt on the idea that all Australians should be required to present a digital ID for age verification on every site.
