Australia is set to bolster its legislation prohibiting children below the age of 16 from engaging on social media platforms, as stated by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. This initiative comes in response to concerns regarding the effectiveness of the current rules, which have been in place since December 10, 2022.

During a recent parliamentary session, Albanese disclosed that the government is exploring options to strengthen the existing ban. He emphasised the necessity of reviewing whether the laws could be improved and if eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant is adequately equipped with the necessary powers.

The Australian government was the first globally to implement laws designed to prevent young individuals from using social media. However, numerous minors reportedly continue to maintain accounts on popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. This has prompted a comprehensive reassessment of the legislation.

International Responses and Developments

In a related move, the United Kingdom recently announced plans to prohibit children under 16 from accessing several social media outlets to mitigate exposure to harmful content and excessive screen usage. Similarly, countries such as Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia have either enacted or proposed regulations that impose age-related restrictions on social media access for children.

Other nations like France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand, and South Korea are in the process of evaluating or developing comparable measures aimed at protecting younger audiences from online risks. These countries are considering similar restrictions in a bid to enhance child safety in digital environments.

Inman Grant has indicated that legal measures may be taken against major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, alleging that they are not adequately protecting Australian children from accessing their services. Should these platforms fail to comply with the regulations, they may face fines reaching up to 49.5 million Australian dollars.

Concerns Over Current Ban Effectiveness

Experts, such as Lisa Given from Melbourne’s RMIT University, have expressed concerns regarding the current government ban and its evident limitations. She referenced eSafety data from March indicating that approximately 70 per cent of underage users still possessed accounts on platforms despite the existing prohibitions. Additionally, a recent study highlighted that 85 per cent of Australian teenagers aged 12 to 17 were utilising restricted platforms.

Inman Grant has articulated difficulties in enforcing the current legislation, suggesting that either more powers or an alternative approach to enforcement may be required. Given remarked that legal clarification might soon be necessary to define what constitutes “reasonable steps,” in compliance with the law.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported remarks from Inman Grant earlier in June, where she stated, “I don’t have potent powers.” This raised questions about the effectiveness of regulatory bodies, highlighting the significance of providing them with adequate tools and resources to fulfil their mandates.

In his statements to Parliament, Albanese confirmed that the government regards this issue as a priority. He acknowledged the complexities associated with modern digital challenges and reaffirmed plans for forthcoming legislation termed “digital duty of care.” This legislation aims to hold platforms accountable for foreseeable damages resulting from their content and algorithms, further tightening the enforcement of social media bans for children.

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