Australia’s Social Media Ban for Citizens Under the Age of Sixteen

Photo provided by Megan Silva

The regulation of social media has been a “hot” topic among many households and even on the global stage. Australia has been at the forefront of these debates, and recently, introduced legislation and measures that some interpret as a partial ban or stricter regulations of social media platforms. This controversial move has sparked discussions among Autralians about its implications for privacy, national security, and democracy.

Australia's government along with many other countries’ have long expressed concerns about the role of social media in fostering harmful behaviors, spreading misinformation, and compromising national security. The focus has often been on the platforms' inability to effectively moderate content, including issues that predominantly affect the younger generation such as: hate speech, cyberbullying, and the viewing of explicit content that is not age appropriate. The proposed regulations, targets the sites: “TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, Instagram and X” (Zhuang 2). Sites like: “messaging apps (WhatsApp and Facebook’s Messenger Kids)” will not be banned as they have higher restrictions and are deemed “kid friendly” (Zhuang 2).

From a security perspective, the government contends that these measures are essential for combating online crime, including child exploitation and terrorist activities. The regulations aim to hold individuals accountable for their actions online, thereby creating a safer digital environment. However, this justification has been met with skepticism, with some questioning whether the measures truly address the root causes of these issues. Many children say that they will find a way around these bans, which poses the question: Will this ban create sneakier children?” The Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese states, “ We don't argue that its implementation will be perfect, just like the alcohol ban for under 18s doesn't mean that someone under 18 never has access, but we know that it's the right thing to do” (Pal, Hsu 2). Most people know that underage drinking is very popular throughout highschool and the first couple years of college. Although in America, the legal drinking age is 21, many individuals younger have consumed alcohol, so will the social media ban be anymore effective?

There seems to be two sides in this debate. Side 1 is the predominant consensus of the social media ban. This side includes many parents because they believe that social media destroys their childrens’ lives through cyberbullying, comparison to edited images leading to unrealistic standards physically, and viewing inappropriate websites. Some of the most notable supporters are parents whose children have committed suicide due to online bullying through these social media sites. Australian mother, Kelly O’Brien, whose 12 year old daughter self exited due to social media bullying stated, “Giving our kids these phones, we’re giving them weapons, we’re giving them the world at their fingertips” (Zhuang 4). 

Side 2 includes other members of the Australian population who may or may not have children as well as the social media companies who claim that democracy is being lost by the banning of social media. “X questioned the "lawfulness" of the bill - saying it may not be compatible with international regulations and human rights treaties which Australia has signed” (Ritchie 3). Moreover, activists and human rights groups have expressed concern that such measures could set a dangerous precedent, allowing governments to impose further restrictions on online expression.

The implementation of this legislation will take effect next year and the companies that do not agree to these terms will be fined “49.5 million Australian dollars” or 32 million USD (Zhuang 3). Other methods of enforcement are by “so-called age assurance technologies, like using a facial scan to determine a user’s approximate age, or estimating it based on online behavior” (Zhuang 3).

Australia is not the first country to enforce these rules. France has tried to implement a social media ban for those under the age of fifteen without the approval of their parents. These kids however, were able to bypass the law by using a VPN.

Australia's measures to regulate social media reflect the complexities of governing digital platforms in an increasingly interconnected world. While the intent to promote safety and accountability is applaudable, the execution must carefully consider the implications for privacy, security, and free speech. As the global community watches, Australia could have the potential to influence other countries to follow in their footsteps.

Works Cited

BBC News. “Australia Introduces Social Media Ban for Children under 16.” BBC News. Available at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c89vjj0lxx9o.

Reuters. “Australian PM Albanese Says Social Media Firms Now Have Responsibility to Protect Users.” Reuters, 28 Nov. 2024. Available at https://www.reuters.com.

The New York Times. “Australia Introduces Groundbreaking Social Media Ban for Children                                                   Under 16.” The New York Times, 28 Nov. 2024. Available at https://www.nytimes.com.