9 months ago
Australia Implements Social Media Ban for Under-16s
Australia is making a big change by banning social media for kids under 16.
Starting December 10, 2024, children in Australia won't be able to create or keep accounts on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
The government says this will help kids spend less time on screens and stay safe from harmful content.
If social media companies don't follow the rules, they could be fined up to 49.5 million Australian dollars.
Other countries like the UK, Norway, and Denmark are also looking at similar rules.
The European Union is working on an age-verification app, and tech companies already have a minimum age of 13 for their platforms.
This move is being watched closely around the world.
However, teens are finding ways around the ban, such as using their parents' accounts, fake IDs, or even photos of pets to trick the age verification systems.
Australia has enforced a nationwide ban on social media for kids under 16 starting December 10, 2024.
The ban includes platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, with fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars for non-compliance.
Teens are finding workarounds, such as using parents' accounts, fake IDs, or photos of pets to bypass age verification.
Experts warn that facial recognition and age verification systems are imperfect, allowing some teens to access platforms despite the ban.
Other countries, including the UK, Norway, Denmark, and the EU, are considering or implementing similar age restrictions.
- Who
- Australian government and other countries considering similar measures
- What
- A nationwide prohibition on social media use for kids under 16
- Where
- Australia, with global implications
- When
- Starting December 10, 2024
- Why
- To reduce screen time and protect children from harmful content
Supporters of the Ban
Opponents of the Ban
Impact on Children
Supporters of the Ban
The ban will reduce exposure to harmful content and cyberbullying, protecting children's mental health.
Opponents of the Ban
The ban may make children less aware of current events and global issues, limiting their awareness.
Key facts
- Effective Date
- December 10, 2024
- Penalty for Non-Compliance
- Up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (US$32 million)
- Countries Considering Similar Measures
- United Kingdom, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Malaysia, and the European Union
- Tech Companies' Minimum Age
- 13 years (TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat)
- EU Proposed Minimum Age
- 16 years (for social media)
- EU Proposed Digital Age Limit
- 13 years (for video-sharing services and AI companions)
- Age-Verification Systems
- ID checks, regular audits, and compulsory reporting of how they identify users below the age of 16.
- Excluded Platforms
- YouTube Kids, Google Classroom, and WhatsApp
Timeline
Australia tests, approves age-check tools ConnectID, k-ID.
Then, bans teens from social media, citing successful tests.
PM Albanese reveals ban starts December 10, 2025.
Affected platforms: TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube.
Ban impacts children under 16 from December 10, 2024.
Quotes
Lisa Given
A professor of information sciences at RMIT University.
“Facial scanning technology has an error margin of one to three years. That means the system could guess that a 14-year-old is a 17-year-old and [incorrectly] believe that they are old enough to have an account.”
NDTV
“They may try to alter their appearance to try to trick facial scanning age estimation. Or they may have a sibling, parent, or another person over 16 do the facial scan for them to get past the age checks.”
NDTV
Isobel
A 13-year-old who found a way to bypass the social media ban.
“It took her less than five minutes to bypass the ban.”
NDTV
Jillian
A mother from New South Wales who shared her experience with the social media ban.
“I have a 12-year-old daughter. She and her friends were identified as 17+ simply by putting on some fake lashes and makeup. Even without the [make-up] she was identified as 14+. So either way, these young girls are likely exposed to more inappropriate chats or content than they were before.”
NDTV
Sources
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