Moreover, one in seven children reported attempts at manipulation by adults, and more than half have fallen victim to cyberbullying.
Which platforms are covered by the ban?
The new law applies to ten social platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, and YouTube, as well as streaming services Kick and Twitch.Some groups are demanding that the ban also cover online games. In response to the potential inclusion on this list, platforms like Roblox and Discord have begun implementing age verification for certain features.
The Australian government intends to regularly review the list of platforms, taking into account criteria such as the ability for online interaction and content posting.
How will compliance with the ban be enforced?
Penalties for violating the ban will not apply to children or their parents. The responsibility for compliance lies with the platforms themselves, which may face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (about 32 million USD) for serious violations.Companies are required to implement "reasonable measures" to prevent children from accessing their platforms, using age verification technologies. These could include methods such as facial recognition, user behavior analysis, or the use of government-issued IDs.
Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, has announced that it will begin deleting accounts of teenagers starting December 4. Incorrectly disabled users will be able to verify their age using an ID or a video selfie. Snapchat will offer verification through bank accounts or ID photos.
Other platforms have not yet disclosed their plans for complying with the new rules.
How effective will this ban be?
It is difficult to predict the effectiveness of the ban without a clear understanding of the verification methods. There are concerns that age verification technologies may mistakenly block users or fail to detect those who are underage.Additionally, there is the question of whether the fines are sufficient. As former Facebook CEO Stephen Scheeler noted, "Meta takes about an hour and 52 minutes to earn 50 million dollars."
Critics argue that even if children stop using social media, it will not eliminate the threats that arise online. The ban does not cover dating sites or gaming platforms, which also raises concerns.
Some believe that teaching children safe online behavior would be more effective than an outright ban. Communications Minister Annika Wells acknowledged that this ban may have its drawbacks, adding that "with major reforms, there is always a bit of chaos."
Data protection issues
Critics are also concerned that verifying age will involve collecting and storing a large amount of user data. Australia, like other countries, has faced serious data breaches in recent years, and the government promises to protect personal information through strict measures.Platforms must use the collected data only for age verification and destroy it afterward. Violators face severe penalties, and alternative verification methods without the use of government IDs must also be offered.
Social media's reaction to the new ban
When the ban was announced in November 2024, many social media companies expressed dissatisfaction, stating that it is difficult to implement and easy to circumvent. They also emphasized that verification will take a lot of time and may threaten user privacy. Some platforms, such as YouTube and Snapchat, stress that they do not consider themselves social networks.Google, which manages YouTube, is considering filing a lawsuit to challenge the platform's inclusion on the list. In response to a request for comment from the BBC, the company did not provide a response.
Meta, while announcing the start of the ban's implementation, considers it inconsistent regarding child protection. TikTok and Snap also expressed their disagreement with the ban but confirmed that they will comply.
The largest Australian company Kick, which is affected by the ban, stated that it will take "a number of measures" and continue to engage with authorities constructively.
Are there similar bans in other countries?
Currently, Australia is the only country to have enacted such a strict ban on access to social media for children under 16. Other countries have attempted to limit the time children spend online or access to harmful content, but a complete ban on social media has not yet been introduced.In the UK, new rules were introduced in July requiring company leaders to implement measures to protect youth from illegal content. In some European countries, children can use social media only with parental permission, while in others, such as Spain and Denmark, proposals for a ban on minors are being considered.
In the US, Utah attempted to introduce a ban on social media for minors, but the decision was blocked by a federal judge.
How will teenagers try to circumvent the ban?
Some teenagers interviewed by the BBC have already started creating new accounts with fake age information. The government has warned social networks about the need to identify and remove such accounts. Online, teenagers are sharing tips on how to bypass the ban and recommending alternative apps. Some influencers have switched to joint accounts with their parents.Experts predict an increase in the use of VPNs, which hide the user's location, as happened in the UK after age restrictions were introduced.
