The Australian government's escalating war on social media giants has reached new heights as it doubles the fines for non-compliance with its youth online ban to £52 million. The move reflects a growing frustration with tech firms that are seen as failing to take adequate steps to protect children from the harms of social media.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed his 'heartened' response to the global momentum on this issue, but warned that big tech companies still have much to do to comply with Australia's pioneering legislation. Since its introduction in December 2022, over 5 million accounts held by under-16s have been removed or restricted – a significant start, perhaps, but research suggests that many more youngsters are finding ways to circumvent the rules.
As part of the proposed reforms, the eSafety Commissioner's powers will be strengthened to investigate potential breaches. The office is already probing major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, with social media companies facing demands for evidence on their age verification efforts – a move that could have far-reaching implications for the way these giants operate.
Australia's lead in this area has not gone unnoticed around the world. France has followed suit with similar legislation for under-15s, while the UK government is planning to introduce its own 'Australia-plus' ban for under-16s from 2027 – a move that could mark a significant escalation of online protections for children. Other countries including Slovenia, Poland, Spain, Denmark, and Malaysia are also considering comparable proposals.
However, a study published in the BMJ by the University of Newcastle has cast a light on the issue's complexities. The research found that more than 80% of under-16s continued to use social media three months after Australia's ban was introduced – a testament, perhaps, to the ingenuity of young people in finding ways to bypass restrictions. Two-thirds reported age verification checks, but these were often rudimentary, with many simply asked for their age or uploading a selfie to prove they are old enough.