Australia is proceeding with its plan to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms, set to take effect on December 10. The federal government has confirmed that major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube will be required to take reasonable steps to prevent underage users from creating accounts and to deactivate existing ones, with non-compliance penalties reaching up to $32.5 million (A$50 million).
A government-commissioned report by the UK-based Age Check Certification Scheme examined multiple verification methods and found significant limitations in each approach. While official ID verification was deemed most accurate, it raised privacy concerns regarding data storage and sharing. Facial recognition and behavioral analysis proved 92% accurate for adults but were unreliable near the 16-year threshold, often resulting in false approvals or rejections.
The report concluded that no single method is foolproof and recommended a layered approach combining multiple technologies to improve reliability. It also highlighted risks such as circumvention through forged documents or VPNs. Communications Minister Anika Wells emphasized that tech companies already possess the AI and data capabilities to implement these systems responsibly.
Despite broad public support, particularly among parents, mental health advocates and digital rights groups warn that the ban could drive youth toward unregulated online spaces and limit valuable social connections. Critics argue the government should focus instead on regulating harmful content and improving digital literacy. Nevertheless, Australia remains committed to implementing the ban by December 10, positioning itself as a pioneer in stringent online safety regulation.
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