Tech Giants Oppose Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban Advances

In November 2024, the Australian parliament adopted a prohibition that restricted the use of social media by children under the age of 16, which is far higher than any other country.

This landmark legislation, banning social media use for children under the age of 16, faces strong criticism from major tech companies.

They claim that the bill has been rushed through parliament with inadequate consultation and contains biased exemptions.

In a rare display of unity, Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat filed a joint submission this week challenging the government’s unfair decision to exempt YouTube from the ban.

TikTok described the exclusion as irrational, arguing it creates “a sweetheart deal” that gives YouTube unfettered access to every teenager in Australia and an unchecked competitive advantage.

The Australian government justifies YouTube’s exemption by classifying it as an educational resource rather than just normal social media, despite some research indicating that YouTube can pose similar risks to these young users.

Meta argued that this exemption makes a mockery of the government’s stated intention.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended the ban as necessary to protect children from social media’s harmful effects.

“We want our kids to have a childhood and parents to know we have their backs,” Albanese told reporters after the bill passed.

Though he acknowledges the challenges that come with the implementation, he likened it to alcohol restrictions for minors, which could be imperfect but also the right thing to do.

The legislation places responsibility on platforms rather than users, with potential fines reaching A$50 million ($32.5 million) for noncompliance.

The Australian government, in baby steps to actualizing this ban, is in the process of finalizing its preferred age-verification mechanism, which could involve biometrics or government ID checking.

Possible Effects of The Ban

The ban won’t take effect for at least 12 months, giving platforms time to implement verification systems.

While messaging and gaming platforms are currently spared, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and X are probably among the affected services.

There may be more modifications to the legislation’s trajectory as the Australian elections draw near.

Other countries are keeping a close eye on this, as Norway has promised to emulate Australia, while UK officials have joked that such actions are “on the table.”

There are still unanswered questions over whether the ban will accomplish its goals or merely drive teenage users to less regulated areas of the internet.