Australia Mandates Social Media Age Restrictions, Fines Up to 50 Million Australian Dollars for Non-Compliance

Australia is set to enforce a landmark legislation starting December 10, which mandates that social media platforms like Meta, Google, and TikTok Inc. must restrict access for users under the age of 16. This pioneering law presents significant challenges for both the Australian government and the tech giants involved, as it aims to protect minors from harmful online content. The legislation is a critical test case as governments worldwide seek effective solutions to safeguard children online.

Electronic Safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant has sent letters to these tech companies, emphasizing the need for immediate preparation. She expects the companies to disable accounts held by users under 16 and prevent minors from circumventing age restrictions by altering account settings. The legislation will be enforced rigorously, with platforms required to verify user ages beyond self-reported information. The commissioner's data indicates that approximately 95% of Australian children aged 10 to 15 have at least one social media account, highlighting the urgency of the issue.

The new law requires digital platforms, including Snapchat and X, to enforce age restrictions, with potential fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars for non-compliance. The Australian government had initially exempted YouTube from these regulations but revoked this exemption in July. The legislation has faced opposition from platform operators, who question the reliability of current technologies in verifying user ages. However, a government-funded trial conducted last month concluded that age verification is feasible and does not present significant technical barriers.

The implementation of this law will require tech companies to deploy a range of effective age verification methods, ensuring multiple layers of security to safeguard against breaches. This move by Australia is expected to set a precedent for other nations grappling with similar concerns about online safety for minors. As the deadline approaches, tech giants are under pressure to develop and implement robust solutions to comply with the new regulations.