After Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to keep kids under 16 off social media last week, his proposal has quickly gained support from Australia’s six states and two territories with the country’s national cabinet officially endorsing this age restriction.
The policy, which could take place next year or 12 months after parliament approves the legislation, will place responsibility squarely on social media companies, requiring them to enforce age restrictions or face “significant fines” for non-compliance.
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat are among those affected, while certain educational apps, such as YouTube Kids, may be exempt.
Prime Minister Albanese stressed the need for a unified approach across Australia to provide clarity and consistency for parents.
“Social media is doing social harm to our young Australians, and I am calling time on it,” Albanese stated at a press conference alongside Communications Minister Michelle Rowland.
“The safety and mental health of our young people has to be a priority, and my government will do all that we can to protect our young Australians but also to provide support for parents and teachers who are dealing with these issues.”
The new regulations aim to address growing concerns about the mental health impact of social media on young Australians.
To enforce these restrictions, the government is conducting an age assurance trial, which Minister Rowland says will inform “strong privacy protections” within the legislation. This framework will aim to strike a balance, allowing young people access to educational and mental health resources while restricting general social media access.
“The exemptions framework operates on the basis … that we need to make sure that young people still have access to educational to health needs, noting that a number of mental health services, for example, actually operate like platforms,” she said.
Officials have clarified that children and parents won’t face penalties for bypassing the age restrictions, instead placing this responsibility on tech giants. Albanese urged companies to recognize their “social responsibility” and work cooperatively with the government to curb the negative impacts of social media on young people.
Yet these same tech giants have raised concerns about the limits of its technology to enforce age restrictions. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, voiced doubts over its current ability to meet these requirements, with regional policy director Mia Garlick advocating for a different approach.
Garlick suggested that age verification could instead be conducted through device setup on Apple and Google app stores, where age information is typically collected. “When you get a new phone or a new device, you do spend a bit of time sitting down as a family, setting it all up,” Garlick explained in an interview with ABC. “There is a really simple solution there, that at that one point in time … verification can occur.”
