Australia is set to enforce a landmark social media ban on users under 16, with tech giants Meta and TikTok agreeing to comply despite warning of potential difficulties in enforcement. The ban, which comes into effect on December 10, will require social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to remove users under 16 from their platforms. This move is part of a broader effort by Australian regulators to address the dangers of social media, and its success is being closely watched by regulators worldwide.
On paper, the ban is one of the strictest in the world, but its implementation is proving to be complex. With just over a month until the ban comes into effect, Australian authorities are still grappling with key questions around enforcement and the obligations of social media companies. TikTok has warned that the “blunt” age ban could have unintended consequences, such as pushing younger people into darker corners of the internet where protections do not exist.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has also expressed concerns about the challenges of identifying and removing underage accounts. The company’s policy director, Mia Garlick, stated that Meta is working to remove hundreds of thousands of users under 16 by the December 10 deadline, but this poses significant new engineering and age assurance challenges. Social media companies that fail to comply with the laws face fines of up to Aus$49.5 million (US$32 million).
The ban has been criticized by tech companies, with YouTube describing it as “well-intentioned but poorly thought through.” Australia’s online watchdog has suggested that other platforms, including WhatsApp, Twitch, and Roblox, may also be covered by the ban. As the deadline for implementation approaches, the Australian government is under pressure to provide clarity on the specifics of the ban and how it will be enforced. The success of this initiative will be closely watched, as it has significant implications for the regulation of social media globally.
