Social Media Companies Slam Australia’s Under-16 Ban

AFP/APP

Melbourne: Social media giants on Friday criticized a landmark Australian law banning them from signing up under-16s, describing it as a rushed decision riddled with “many unanswered questions.”

The UN children’s charity UNICEF Australia joined the debate, cautioning that the law was no “silver bullet” against online harm and could push kids into “covert and unregulated” online spaces.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the law might not be perfectly implemented—comparing it to existing age restrictions on alcohol—but emphasized it was “the right thing to do.” He said the crackdown, approved by parliament late Thursday, would lead to “better outcomes and less harm for young Australians.”

Platforms have a “social responsibility” to prioritize children’s safety, Albanese stated. “We’ve got your back, is our message to Australian parents.”

Social media firms failing to comply with the law face fines of up to AUD 50 million (USD 32.5 million).

TikTok expressed disappointment, accusing the government of ignoring mental health, online safety, and youth experts who opposed the ban. A TikTok spokesperson warned the law could push young people “to darker corners of the internet where no community guidelines, safety tools, or protections exist.”

‘Unanswered Questions’

Tech companies indicated that despite the law’s perceived shortcomings, they would work with the government over the next 12 months to shape its implementation.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, called for consultation to ensure a “technically feasible outcome that does not place an onerous burden on parents and teens.” However, Meta also criticized the legislation for being rushed and failing to consider existing age-appropriate measures or input from young people.

Snapchat raised “serious concerns” about the law, citing numerous unanswered questions about enforcement but pledged to work with the government to balance “privacy, safety, and practicality.” The company stated, “As always, Snap will comply with any applicable laws and regulations in Australia.”

UNICEF Australia policy chief Katie Maskiell stressed the need to protect young people online while ensuring they remain part of the digital world. She warned the ban could push children into unregulated online spaces and limit their access to essential aspects of the internet critical for their well-being.

Creative Concerns

Leo Puglisi, a 17-year-old online journalist and founder of the streaming channel 6 News, was critical of the legislation. Puglisi started 6 News in 2019 at the age of 11, providing hourly news bulletins on national and international issues.

“We’ve grown by having 13 to 15-year-olds see 6 News online and then join the team,” Puglisi stated. “This ban seriously risks restricting creativity from our young people, no matter what passion or future career they want to explore.”

Global Attention

One of the biggest challenges will be privacy—specifically, how age-verification information is collected, used, and who will oversee it. Social media companies insist app stores should handle age verification, but the government argues that platforms must take responsibility.