Australia could utilize various technologies to implement its social media ban for under-16s, but all come with risks and limitations, according to a comprehensive report.
Set to take effect in December, the ban aims to mitigate the harmful impacts of social media on children, with the government emphasizing that it is a world-first initiative being closely monitored globally.
The legislation requires platforms to take 'reasonable steps' to prevent Australian minors from creating accounts, as well as to deactivate existing accounts.
While the move has support from many parents, experts express concerns regarding data privacy and the reliability of age verification systems.
The Australian government commissioned the UK-based Age Check Certification Scheme to explore methods for enforcing the ban. Their report, released recently, evaluated options including formal verification using government documents, parental consent, and technologies assessing age based on facial features or behaviors.
Despite the technical feasibility of proposed methods, the report reported the absence of an all-encompassing solution suitable for every circumstance, raising concerns regarding consumer privacy and potential inaccuracies.
Verification using identity documentation proved the most reliable but raised fears regarding possible misuse and retention of sensitive data by social media companies.
Facial recognition technology demonstrated a 92% accuracy rate for people aged 18 and older, but provided less reliable results for those at or around the age of 16, potentially facilitating both false positives and negatives in user verification.
The report recommended implementing a layered approach to age verification, addressing concerns such as document falsification and users using VPNs to bypass restrictions.
Communications Minister Anika Wells asserted that no universal solution exists and that the government expects tech companies to employ a range of age verification methods before the ban is enforced.
Under the new regulations, platforms could face fines as high as A$50 million (approximately $32.5 million) for failing to appropriately restrict access to users under 16. Key players in social media, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube, will be directly impacted by these rules.
While polling indicates strong support for the ban among Australian adults, mental health advocates warn that it could limit children's online connectivity and potential positive interactions, advocating instead for better regulation of harmful content on existing platforms.
