Australia became the first country in the world to implement a minimum age of 16 for social media use, requiring 10 of the largest platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, to block over 1 million accounts.
Platforms must block users under 16 or face fines of up to €49.5 million. The law has faced strong criticism from major tech companies and free speech advocates, but it has also received praise from parents and child rights supporters.
Tech giants will need to use various age verification methods, such as ID checks, selfies, and analysis of online behavior. The government has stated that the list of covered social media platforms will be updated as new products emerge and young users shift to alternative platforms.
In 2024, 95% of Australian teens aged 13 to 15 used social media, mainly YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.
Governments from Denmark to Malaysia, and even some U.S. states, say they are planning similar measures, four years after internal Meta documents revealed the company knew its products contributed to issues with teens’ body image and suicidal thoughts, while publicly denying such a link.
However, social media experts and former employees warn of potential side effects from the ban, including the collection and storage of biometric data by the companies.
Source: New York Times
