Australia is pushing ahead with a world-first proposal to ban social media entry for kids underneath 16. The plan, introduced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, is designed to guard younger individuals from the dangerous results of extreme social media use. Points like physique picture results, on-line bullying, and publicity to inappropriate content material are driving the plan. If the legislation passes by the tip of 2025, it’ll introduce strict age verification necessities, setting a precedent for different nations.
We sat down with Lauren Hendry Parsons, ExpressVPN Digital Rights Advocate, to debate what this implies for on-line security, privateness, and digital rights.
What’s Australia’s proposed social media ban for teenagers?
On November 7, 2024, Prime Minister Albanese unveiled a proposal geared toward proscribing social media use for minors underneath 16. This contains blocking entry to in style platforms equivalent to Fb, Instagram, TikTok, and others. The laws would require strong age verification processes, probably utilizing government-issued IDs or biometric information, earlier than customers can enroll.
The purpose is to guard kids from dangerous content material, equivalent to cyberbullying, publicity to dangerous content material, and the pressures of unrealistic physique requirements that many younger individuals face on-line. If handed, Australia would paved the way in implementing one of many strictest social media rules for minors globally.
“The intention behind the ban is commendable—it’s a daring step towards safeguarding kids,” Hendry Parsons explains. “However the challenges are substantial. Creating an age verification system that works reliably with out compromising privateness is just not easy.”
She additionally highlights the potential unintended penalties. “This laws might set a world precedent, but it surely dangers deprioritizing privateness issues. Hanging the suitable stability between defending youngsters and guaranteeing digital rights is essential. Overreaching surveillance might find yourself affecting everybody, not simply minors.”
Why is Australia proposing this ban?
Australia’s proposed social media ban for teenagers underneath 16 is pushed by the federal government’s concern over the rising dangers social media poses to younger individuals. The Australian prime minister has been vocal concerning the risks of extreme social media use, notably its affect on psychological well being. He’s highlighted points like physique picture pressures, on-line bullying, and publicity to dangerous or inappropriate content material, particularly for younger women. His authorities sees this as a obligatory step to guard kids from the unfavorable unwanted effects of digital life.
From a psychological well being perspective, these issues are backed by analysis. Social media has been linked to rising nervousness, melancholy, and shallowness points amongst younger customers. As Hendry Parsons factors out, “Social media can have severe, long-term results on youngsters, particularly these underneath 16. We’re seeing an increasing number of research connecting social media use to psychological well being dangers, like physique picture points and shallowness struggles. And sadly, youngsters aren’t simply dealing with the pressures of unrealistic magnificence requirements — they’re additionally being uncovered to dangerous, generally violent, content material.”
Certainly, an ExpressVPN survey of over 2,000 kids throughout the U.S. and UK revealed that just about 1 / 4 of youngsters have been bullied on-line. Much more regarding, some youngsters reported having strangers ask which college they attend. Hendry Parsons provides, “We’ve seen in our personal analysis {that a} vital variety of kids are experiencing actual hurt on-line. Practically 25% have been bullied, and 17% have even been approached by strangers asking the place they go to high school. It’s clear that children want extra safety in these areas.”
How would the ban work?
The proposed ban would require social media platforms to arrange age verification methods for customers underneath 16. This may contain utilizing biometric information or government-issued IDs to make sure solely customers above the age restrict can entry these platforms.
Whereas these steps are supposed to defend youngsters from dangerous content material on-line, they arrive with some severe privateness issues. As Hendry Parsons factors out, “The gathering of delicate information for age verification, together with biometric info or authorities IDs, introduces vital privateness dangers. With out strict safeguards, this information might be exploited for focused promoting or offered to 3rd events, creating a possible privateness nightmare.”
There’s additionally the issue that children can simply bypass these methods. “We all know that many kids lie about their age on-line. Our analysis discovered that 24% of kids within the U.S. and UK admitted to doing so,” she provides. “Whereas these methods may block some customers, they will’t totally forestall decided youngsters from getting round them.”
What platforms are affected?
The proposed ban targets main platforms the place kids underneath 16 generally spend their time. This contains:
- Fb
- TikTok
- Snapchat
- YouTube
- X (previously Twitter)
- Discord
These platforms would want to implement age verification methods to dam youthful customers. This may contain utilizing biometric information or government-issued IDs. The transfer would drive firms to rethink how they deal with person information and will considerably alter the net panorama for Australian minors.
Supporters and opponents of the ban
Not surprisingly, the proposed plan has sparked a vigorous debate. Right here’s a breakdown of the important thing arguments from either side:
Supporters of the ban
The push for the ban has robust help from psychological well being professionals and little one safety advocates. They argue that limiting entry to platforms like Instagram and TikTok might scale back points like nervousness, melancholy, and physique dysmorphia. Albanese has additionally been vocal concerning the want for this transfer, saying, “Social media is doing social hurt to our younger Australians. The protection and psychological well being of our younger individuals must be a precedence.”
A nationwide survey additionally exhibits that greater than 80% of Australians help tighter rules on social media. This contains licensing platforms and organising age restrictions, reflecting the general public’s concern about how social media is impacting younger individuals.
Opponents of the ban
Then again, critics are elevating crimson flags. Digital rights teams and privateness advocates argue that age verification methods might result in invasive information assortment and potential misuse of private info. There’s additionally concern that the ban might push youngsters towards extra unregulated, probably extra dangerous on-line areas.
“Whereas the intent behind the ban is to safeguard youngsters from dangerous content material, there’s a big danger that the coverage might push them into much less regulated, extra harmful areas of the web,” explains Hendry Parsons. “The answer can’t merely be about blocking entry to platforms. We want a balanced method that focuses on privateness, digital literacy, and preserving youngsters protected in a means that doesn’t push them additional into the digital shadows.
“It’s not nearly proscribing entry, but in addition about educating youngsters the best way to navigate the web safely and use it responsibly. Digital literacy is essential—youngsters want to grasp the dangers, know the best way to defend their privateness and be outfitted to deal with points like cyberbullying. Limiting entry with out correct training gained’t resolve the issue long run.”
Large tech firms are additionally pushing again. Platforms like Meta, TikTok, and YouTube argue that the logistics of implementing such a ban are impractical and will disrupt their enterprise fashions. There’s additionally concern that decided youngsters will simply circumvent age checks, making the entire train ineffective.
Moreover, an open letter from over 140 specialists warns {that a} blanket ban might be “too blunt an instrument” to deal with the issue. Critics additionally spotlight the danger of isolating teenagers who depend on social media for social connection, notably these from marginalized communities. For instance, one 14-year-old refugee in Darwin pointed out that the ban might sever her solely hyperlink to her grandmother overseas.
Is that this actually a ‘world-leading’ method?
Australia’s proposed ban actually makes waves as one of the crucial aggressive strikes towards defending younger individuals on-line. However is it simply an excessive experiment, or are different nations more likely to observe swimsuit?
To be clear, different nations like China and the UAE have already put strict controls in place, together with limiting display time and curbing entry to sure content material for minors. In China, for instance, in style apps now have a “minor mode,” designed to limit entry to age-inappropriate content material. The UAE additionally screens minors’ on-line exercise, imposing tight rules on display time. In the meantime, the European Union’s Digital Services Act and the UK’s Online Safety Bill deal with security however cease wanting outright bans.
Australia’s proposal might set a brand new international benchmark. The primary query is whether or not it’ll successfully deal with the problems it seeks to resolve or create new issues.
“If Australia’s mannequin turns into the brand new international commonplace, different nations could observe swimsuit, however they’ll must tread fastidiously to make sure they don’t prioritize one type of security over one other—notably with regards to privateness and entry to very important help networks,” says Hendry Parsons.
“I can solely hope that the Australian authorities will likely be actively participating with expertise suppliers, privateness advocates, and psychological well being professionals to make sure that the answer is each protecting and proportionate.”
Finally, it’s important that we design digital environments that help younger individuals’s development and well-being, with out imposing options that will inadvertently erode private privateness and freedom on-line.
So, what’s subsequent?
The proposed laws in Australia remains to be within the evaluate section, with the federal government concentrating on a possible passage by the tip of 2025. If handed, it’ll require social media platforms to implement stringent age verification methods to dam entry for customers underneath 16. Nonetheless, key particulars about how these verification methods will work and the way privateness issues will likely be addressed stay underneath debate.
This legislation, if it strikes ahead as deliberate, will probably set a brand new benchmark for on-line security rules worldwide. International locations observing Australia’s method might contemplate comparable measures, however the path ahead gained’t be with out challenges. One of many key questions is how tech firms will modify to those new necessities. Social media giants might want to redesign their platforms to adjust to these age checks whereas defending person privateness.
maintain your youngsters protected on-line
Within the meantime, it’s necessary to do not forget that preserving your youngsters protected on-line begins with you. Hendry Parsons emphasizes, “The best protection begins at dwelling. Mother and father can educate their youngsters about privateness, digital boundaries, and wholesome web habits, empowering them to navigate the net world responsibly.”
Right here’s how one can take management of your little one’s on-line security:
1. Arrange parental controls
Step one in defending your little one on-line is controlling what they will entry. Parental controls assist block inappropriate content material, set display closing dates, and management app utilization.
With ExpressVPN, you get an adult-site blocker that forestalls specific web sites from loading. Whether or not you’re utilizing the app on Home windows, iOS, Android, or Mac, you may toggle the characteristic on to dam grownup content material. This works seamlessly with our Aircove router, too, which blocks specific websites throughout all units related to your own home Wi-Fi—whether or not or not the VPN is on.
2. Foster open communication
Maintain the dialog open along with your little one. Be sure they know they will discuss to you about something troubling they encounter on-line, whether or not it’s a creepy message or content material that doesn’t sit proper with them.
To make it simpler:
- Ask them to textual content or electronic mail you about any on-line points.
- Reassure them that they will attain out to organizations like Childhelp USA or ChildLine UK for help.
- Create a non-judgmental surroundings the place they really feel snug coming to you with their issues.
3. Remind them to not befriend on-line strangers
It’s crucial to remind your little one about “stranger hazard” on-line. They need to by no means settle for good friend requests or interact with individuals they don’t know in actual life. On-line strangers can simply fake to be somebody they’re not, so it’s very important to set boundaries about who they convey with.
Additionally, remind them to keep away from sharing private info, like the place they go to high school or the place they meet mates. Maintain them knowledgeable concerning the dangers of messaging and video chatting with strangers.
4. Think about username security
Encourage your youngsters to get artistic with their usernames. Keep away from utilizing their actual title, age, or different private particulars, which might make them straightforward targets for on-line predators. For instance, a username like “JohnTaylor2013” might give away an excessive amount of info.
By selecting extra nameless usernames, they will keep safer on-line.
5. Use a VPN
A VPN provides an necessary layer of safety by encrypting on-line site visitors and masking your little one’s IP deal with. With ExpressVPN, their web exercise stays personal, and their searching stays safe from third events attempting to trace or entry their information.
Whether or not they’re gaming, searching, or chatting on-line, a VPN helps defend them from surveillance, phishing assaults, and different on-line threats.
What do you concentrate on Australia’s proposed social media ban for teenagers underneath 16? Do you assume it’s too excessive or is it a obligatory step to guard younger individuals on-line? Share your ideas within the feedback beneath!
