Australia’s centre-left Labor government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, introduced a groundbreaking Bill in parliament on Thursday that aims to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms. The proposed legislation, touted as one of the strictest measures globally, includes fines of up to A$49.5 million (US$32 million) for social media companies that fail to comply with the rules.
The law seeks to establish stringent controls, including an age-verification system that could use biometric technology or government-issued identification. This system would ensure compliance with the ban, which notably allows no exemptions for parental consent or pre-existing accounts.
“This is a landmark reform,” Albanese declared in a statement accompanying the Bill. “We know some kids will find workarounds, but we’re sending a message to social media companies to clean up their act.”
The proposed reforms target platforms owned by major corporations, such as Meta Platforms’ Instagram and Facebook, ByteDance’s TikTok, Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), and Snapchat. The opposition Liberal Party has expressed its intention to support the Bill, though independent lawmakers and the Green Party have requested further clarification on the law’s details and implementation.
In an effort to balance restrictions with accessibility to vital services, the government clarified that children would still have access to messaging platforms, online gaming, and educational or mental health resources. Prime Minister Albanese cited platforms such as Headspace, an Australian youth mental health service, Google Classroom, and YouTube as examples of tools that would remain available.
The proposed legislation is grounded in growing concerns over the detrimental effects of social media on young people. Excessive screen time and unregulated access to harmful content have been linked to adverse mental and physical health outcomes, particularly among teenagers.
“For too many young Australians, social media can be harmful. Almost two-thirds of 14 to 17-year-old Australians have viewed extremely harmful content online, including drug abuse, suicide, or self-harm,” Communications Minister Michelle Rowland told parliament.
Rowland emphasized the government’s commitment to shifting the responsibility for safety onto social media companies rather than parents or young users. “Social media has a social responsibility,” she said. “That’s why we are making big changes to hold platforms to account for user safety.”
Australia’s proposed age limit of 16 years is the highest introduced by any nation. Unlike similar laws in other countries, the Australian law would not allow children to bypass restrictions with parental consent. For example:
France proposed a ban on social media for children under 15 in 2022, but allowed parental approval as a workaround.
The United States has long required parental consent for technology companies to collect data from users under 13, but it does not mandate outright age-based restrictions for platform access.
Australia’s move to exclude parental consent from its policy underscores the government’s aim to make platforms directly accountable for age verification.
The government has not finalized the specific age-verification methods but indicated that biometric technologies or government-issued IDs could be part of the solution. These measures would make it harder for children to falsify their ages while protecting user privacy.
“The proposed law will contain robust privacy provisions, including requiring platforms to destroy any information collected to safeguard the personal data of users,” Rowland said.
However, the introduction of such systems has raised questions about feasibility and privacy. Experts have noted that while biometric systems can be effective, they may also face resistance due to concerns over data security and potential misuse.
Social media companies have yet to formally respond to the legislation, but the proposed fines—up to A$49.5 million for systemic breaches—signal the government’s resolve. Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, which rely heavily on younger demographics, may face significant operational and compliance challenges if the Bill becomes law.
Critics argue that enforcing age restrictions could lead to unintended consequences, such as encouraging younger users to create false profiles or move to less-regulated platforms. Additionally, small businesses that rely on social media for advertising could see a dip in engagement from younger audiences.
The legislation has garnered mixed reactions. Parents and advocacy groups have largely welcomed the move, praising the government for prioritizing children’s safety.
“This is long overdue,” said Julia Stephenson, a child safety advocate. “The risks posed by unregulated access to harmful content are too significant to ignore.”
However, some independent lawmakers and members of the Green Party are urging the government to provide more details on how the policy will be implemented without disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups or creating barriers to legitimate online activities.
Australia joins a growing number of countries seeking to regulate children’s use of social media. While its measures are the most stringent, the trend reflects increasing global recognition of the need to address the negative impacts of unregulated social media on young users. Other examples include:
France’s proposed 2022 legislation: Aimed at barring users under 15 but allowed parental consent.
United Kingdom: Introduced its Online Safety Bill, which requires platforms to take stricter measures to protect children from harmful content.
United States: Some states have introduced bills to restrict social media access for younger users, though none are as comprehensive as Australia’s.
The Albanese government has emphasized that the goal is not to eliminate children’s access to the internet but to create a safer online environment. Educational and mental health resources, for instance, have been explicitly exempted from the restrictions.
Nevertheless, some experts warn that the outright ban could have unintended consequences. “We need to consider the social benefits of platforms, such as staying connected with friends and family,” said Dr. Elizabeth Carter, a digital ethics researcher. “A balanced approach that prioritizes safety without alienating young people is crucial.”
The Bill will now undergo parliamentary debate and scrutiny before a final vote. While the Liberal Party has signaled its support, the government may need to address concerns raised by independents and the Green Party to secure its passage.
