The Australian government is set to implement a ban on social media usage for individuals under the age of 16, despite Meta Platforms’ request to consider delegating the responsibility of monitoring such usage to app store operators like Google and Apple.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Friday that all state and territory leaders have endorsed the plan for these age restrictions. The government has explicitly stated that there will be no exceptions for popular platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, or X.
The legislation is anticipated to be introduced in parliament during the week of November 18, with a one-year delay before the law goes into effect. Specific details regarding the types of personal information necessary to verify age on social media, or the penalties that companies may incur for non-compliance, have not been disclosed. Furthermore, the government has not provided a comprehensive list of platforms classified as social media.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland noted that the new legislation will categorize these platforms as “age-restricted.” She mentioned that the government would assess various websites and services to determine their compliance with the new laws, although gaming platforms and messaging apps are expected to be exempt.
Australia has a track record of confronting major tech companies operating social networks, including a 2021 initiative to compel Meta’s Facebook and Alphabet’s Google to compensate for news content. Recently, tensions arose between the government and Elon Musk’s X regarding the platform’s failure to remove footage of a terrorist attack in Sydney.
Mia Garlick, Meta’s Regional Policy Director for Australia, expressed agreement that young users should have access to “age-appropriate experiences” on social media. However, she emphasized the need for practical considerations in implementing such measures.
“The challenge is that the technology isn’t quite there yet in terms of having a perfect solution,” Garlick stated during an interview with Australian Broadcasting Corp. She suggested that it would be more effective for mobile app store operators to enforce age restrictions rather than social media companies individually.
Garlick further explained, “If every single app is required to implement its own age-appropriate controls, then the burden really is going to fall on young people and parents for each of the different apps that a young person wants to use.”
As of now, TikTok and X have not issued any comments regarding the proposed age restrictions. Representatives from Apple Inc. and Google have not yet responded to inquiries for additional information.
Prime Minister Albanese dismissed Meta’s proposal, expressing confidence in the government’s plan and anticipating opposition to the new legislation.
He acknowledged that while the laws might not entirely prevent individuals under 16 from accessing online platforms, they would convey a critical message.
“We ban alcohol for under-18s for purchasing. Well, this weekend I’m sure there’ll be an example of someone under the age of 18 getting access to alcohol,” he stated to reporters in Canberra. “Doesn’t mean that you say, ‘Oh well it’s all too hard, let it rip.’”
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