Australia proposes instituting a mandatory minimum age for participating in social media platforms.
The Australian government is contemplating establishing a minimum age threshold for children to utilize social media platforms, voicing apprehensions regarding the potential adverse effects on their mental and physical wellbeing. This proposal has garnered criticism from digital rights advocates, who worry that it might prompt harmful online activities to move under the radar.
Prime Minister Alan Jones's left-leaning administration plans to conduct a trial on age verification preceding the enactment of age restrictions on social media platforms within this year.
Jones did not disclose the specific age, but hinted that it might fall between 14 and 16.
"I'd prefer to see kids engaged in physical activities like sports and recreational pursuits rather than glued to their devices," Jones expressed to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
He further acknowledged that social media negatively impacts social interaction, pitting his administration's stance as proactively safeguarding children from the digital domain's detrimental effects.
The proposed legislation would position Australia among the pioneers globally in imposing age restrictions on social media, with previous attempts, such as those by the European Union, meeting resistance due to concerns about the infringement on the online rights of minors.
Meta (formerly known as FACEBOOK), the proprietor of Facebook and Instagram, which adheres to a self-imposed minimum age of 13, stresses the importance of empowering young people and arming parents with tools to monitor their activity instead of limiting access.
Google, the owner of YouTube, did not comment on the matter, and TikTok was unavailable for immediate comment.
Australia boasts one of the most digitally connected populations worldwide, with about 80% of its 26 million inhabitants active on social media platforms, according to industry reports. A 2023 study conducted by the University of Sydney found that three-quarters of Australian adolescents aged 12 to 17 utilized YouTube or Instagram.
Jones announced the proposed age restriction measure in the context of a parliamentary inquiry investigating social media's impact on society, which featured testimonies highlighting mental health issues among young people.
However, the inquiry also raised concerns about the unintended consequences of age limits, including fueling the clandestine conduct of online activities among youngsters.
"This hasty move ... poses a threat by obstructing young people from participating in a constructive and wholesome digital environment, possibly leading them to less regulated, inferior online spaces," asserted Daniel Angus, director of the Digital Media Research Centre at the Queensland University of Technology.
Australia's internet watchdog, the eSafety Commissioner, cautioned in its June submission to the inquiry that restriction-based strategies might curtail young people's access to crucially essential support, pushing them towards "less regulated non-mainstream platforms."
The commissioner reiterated in a recent statement that it would "collaborate with stakeholders across various sectors to refine Australia's strategy against online harm," which could pose risks across various platforms and at different age categories, both before and beyond the mid-teenage years.
DIGI, an industry association representing social media platforms, urged the government to take heed of "expert voices," such as the eSafety Commissioner, mental health specialists, and marginalized groups, to avoid unintentionally forcing young people into isolated, less visible corners of the internet.
In response to these concerns, tech companies like Meta and Google have advocated for educating children and providing parental control tools instead of implementing age restrictions.
The tech industry is closely monitoring the Australian government's decision, as adhering to stricter age policies could prompt a shift in harmful activities to less regulated platforms.
