According to Sky News, the legislation, which was passed on Tuesday, introduces stringent age verification measures for social media platforms operating within Australia. Under the new law, platforms must ensure that users meet the minimum age requirement by implementing robust identity verification systems. Failure to comply could result in hefty fines or even a ban from operating in the country.
The law comes amid rising concerns over the impact of social media on young people, particularly in relation to cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and mental health challenges. Australian lawmakers have argued that the measure is necessary to protect children from the potentially harmful effects of unregulated social media use.
“Protecting the vulnerable”
Addressing the Senate, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland emphasised the government’s commitment to safeguarding children in the digital age. “Social media has become an integral part of our lives, but it is also a space where young and impressionable individuals are exposed to risks. This legislation is designed to protect the most vulnerable members of our society while ensuring that social media companies are held accountable,” Rowland said.
The law also includes provisions for parental consent. If a platform allows users under the age of 16 to create accounts, it must obtain verifiable parental approval. Additionally, social media companies will be required to provide detailed reports on their age verification systems to regulators.
Global implications
The move is expected to reverberate across the tech industry, with many analysts predicting that it could prompt other countries to follow suit. “Australia has set a precedent with this legislation. If it proves successful in curbing the negative effects of social media on minors, it could serve as a model for other nations grappling with similar concerns,” said technology policy expert Dr Emily Carter.
While some parents and child advocacy groups have welcomed the move, it has also drawn criticism from civil rights organisations, who argue that the law infringes on personal freedoms and could lead to excessive data collection. There are also concerns about how effectively the law can be enforced, particularly given the global nature of social media platforms.
Pushback from tech companies
Major social media companies have expressed reservations about the legislation, citing concerns over user privacy and the technical challenges involved in implementing the required verification systems. A spokesperson for Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, stated, “While we support efforts to make the internet safer for children, this law poses significant challenges and may result in unintended consequences, including excluding young people from accessing educational and supportive online communities.”
TikTok, another platform popular among young users, also released a statement calling for a collaborative approach to online safety that balances protection with access to digital resources.
Parental and societal reactions
The law has sparked debate among Australian parents, with some praising the government for taking decisive action. “It’s about time someone stepped up to regulate this space. The impact of social media on my kids’ mental health has been worrying,” said Melbourne-based parent Sarah Logan.
Others, however, questioned whether the legislation would be effective. “Kids are tech-savvy. They’ll find ways to bypass these systems, and it might not address the root causes of their struggles,” noted Peter Harris, a father of three in Sydney.
A step forward or overreach?
The introduction of the law underscores the growing tension between protecting vulnerable users and preserving the open and accessible nature of the internet. As Australia embarks on the implementation phase, the world will be closely watching to see if the legislation achieves its intended outcomes or spurs a broader rethink of social media regulation globally.
With the law set to come into effect in early 2025, social media companies now face the challenge of overhauling their platforms to comply with the new requirements, potentially setting the stage for a major shift in how the internet is regulated worldwide.