Australia could use a variety of technologies to implement its social media ban for under-16s, as revealed in a recent report. The government’s policy, coming into effect in December, aims to mitigate the harmful impacts of social media and is being closely observed by global leaders.
Under the new laws, platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent Australian children from creating social media accounts and deactivate existing ones. The initiative enjoys popularity among parents; however, experts voice concerns over data privacy and the reliability of age verification technologies.
The Age Check Certification Scheme, commissioned by the federal government, evaluated multiple enforcement methods, including government document verification, parental approval, and advanced technologies assessing physical characteristics or behaviors. Despite their technical feasibility, no singular solution proved suitable for all scenarios, with none guaranteed to be effective across all platforms.
Notably, verification via identity documents emerged as the most accurate method, yet it raised issues regarding prolonged data retention by platforms, which could endanger user privacy, especially considering recent significant data breaches in Australia.
While facial analysis technology claims up to 92% accuracy for users aged 18 and older, its effectiveness diminishes for individuals around 16, leading to potential false positives and negatives. The report advocates for a combination of approaches to fortify the age verification process, as concerns persist about parental approval systems.
Communications Minister Anika Wells emphasized a lack of a “one-size-fits-all” answer, highlighting the responsibility of tech giants to deploy effective age assurance methods using their advanced technologies. Companies might incur fines up to A$50 million if they neglect to take necessary precautions to shield minors from holding accounts.
Polling indicates considerable support among Australian adults for restricting social media among children, yet some mental health advocates warn that the policy could alienate youth from essential social connections and push them toward less regulated online environments. Critics urge the government to concentrate on improved regulations against harmful content rather than blanket bans.
