Key Takeaways:
- Australia is set to implement a world-first social media ban for children under the age of 16 on December 10th.
- The ban will apply to major social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube.
- Platforms will be required to deactivate existing accounts of users under 16 and prevent new accounts from being created.
- Users who are wrongly banned can appeal through various methods, including facial assurance checks and government ID verification.
- The ban is aimed at protecting children from online harm, but its effectiveness and potential consequences are still uncertain.
Introduction to the Social Media Ban
Australia is just a week away from implementing a world-first social media ban for children under the age of 16. The ban, which is set to come into effect on December 10th, will apply to major social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube. The goal of the ban is to protect children from online harm, and it is expected to have a significant impact on the way young people interact with social media.
How the Ban Will Work
The ban will require social media platforms to deactivate existing accounts of users under 16 and prevent new accounts from being created. The eSafety commissioner must be satisfied that platforms have taken "reasonable steps" to prevent under 16s from holding an account, or they will face a fine of up to $49.5m. The platforms will use various methods to determine the age of users, including account behavioral signals, birth dates listed on accounts, and facial assurance checks. For example, Snapchat will use account behavioral signals and the birth date people list on the account to determine those who are believed to be under 16, while TikTok will use a "multi-layered approach to age assurance" relying on "various technologies and signals" to confirm someone’s age.
Exemptions and Non-Compliant Platforms
Not all social media platforms will be subject to the ban. Platforms such as Roblox, YouTube Kids, Google Classroom, and job platforms like LinkedIn are exempt. The eSafety commissioner has also flagged that if kids migrate to other services like Lemon8 after the ban, those platforms could be added to the list and would be expected to remove teen accounts. The government has left it open-ended as to whether other platforms will be expected to comply, and it will be up to platforms to assess themselves and determine if they need to comply. For instance, X alternative, Bluesky, has been assessed as "very low risk" due to only having around 50,000 Australian users and very few young people.
Impact on Existing Accounts
For users who are under 16 and have existing accounts, the ban will mean that their accounts will be deactivated. However, some platforms will allow users to download their content and put their accounts on hold until they turn 16. For example, Facebook and Instagram will allow teens to download their photos and messages and put their accounts on hold, while TikTok will give users the option to deactivate or delete their accounts and archive their content. Snapchat will also allow users to download their photos and communications and will disable and lock their account until the user can show they are over 16. YouTube will allow teens to regain access to their accounts when they turn 16, with no content deleted.
Appeals Process
For users who are over 16 but are mistakenly marked as being under 16, there will be an appeals process. The appeals process will vary depending on the platform, but it may involve providing government ID, taking a facial assurance check, or providing other forms of verification. For example, Meta will use Yoti’s facial assurance check, which requires users to take a video selfie to assess their age, while Snapchat will allow users to appeal by going through a bank card check, providing government ID, or taking a selfie that is then used for facial age estimation. TikTok has said it will have a "simple appeals process" but has yet to outline how that will work.
Challenges and Controversies
The ban has been met with some controversy, with some arguing that it is an overreach of government power and others arguing that it is necessary to protect children from online harm. NSW Libertarian MP John Ruddick has launched a high court challenge on the grounds of freedom of political communication, and a parliamentary committee investigating age assurance recommended a delay in the legislation by six months to June 2026. However, the Labor senators on the committee disagreed with the Greens-led report, and the prime minister and communications minister have shown no signs of wavering ahead of the launch date.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In conclusion, the social media ban for children under 16 is a significant development in Australia’s efforts to protect children from online harm. While the ban is set to come into effect on December 10th, it is unclear how effective it will be and what the consequences will be for users and platforms. The government has said that people should not expect the ban to be perfect on day one, and that they won’t be seeking to punish platforms right away if they don’t comply. As the ban comes into effect, it will be important to monitor its impact and make adjustments as necessary to ensure that it is effective in protecting children from online harm.
