Australia Sets New Social Media Age Restriction: 16+

Melbourne, Oct 17 (AP) — The Australian government has initiated a public education campaign to guide families in reducing children's social media usage ahead of a groundbreaking national restriction, which sets a 16-year age limit. This new regulation is set to be enforced starting December.

Julie Inman Grant, the Australian eSafety Commissioner, announced on Friday that her agency's website, esafety.gov.au, offers detailed information on the new legislation and advice on how to comply with it.

Effective December 10, major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, and YouTube could face penalties of up to 50 million Australian dollars (approximately $33 million) if they fail to take reasonable measures to prevent users under 16 in Australia from creating accounts.

Awareness messages will start circulating this Sunday through various media outlets, including digital channels, television, radio, and billboards.

The Communications Minister, Anika Wells, stated, "We want children to have childhoods. We want parents to have peace of mind, and we want young people — young Australians — to have three more years to learn who they are before platforms assume who they are." She referenced the current 13-year age limit for social media accounts, which is based on US privacy laws.

The new age restrictions have sparked debate, with some experts pointing out potential risks alongside benefits. Over 140 Australian and international academics signed an open letter last year, critiquing the age limit as an "overly simplistic approach to effectively mitigate risks."

Despite these concerns, the legislation was passed with robust support. Social media platforms were given a year to develop compliance mechanisms in the absence of foolproof age verification technology.

Inman Grant described the impending social media age restriction as a "very monumental event for a lot of young people."

The agency has provided tools such as checklists and conversation starters to ease the transition, suggesting ways like following influencers through websites instead of social media accounts.

Inman Grant also emphasized: "How do we start weaning them from social media now so it isn't a shock on Dec. 10? How do we help them download their archives and memories, and ensure they maintain connections with friends and are aware of mental health support if they feel down when not tethered to their phones during the holiday period?"

Australia's regulatory move is garnering international attention from countries similarly concerned about social media impacts on young children.

Denmark's Ambassador to Australia, Ingrid Dahl-Madsen, indicated that her government would utilize its presidency of the Council of the European Union to champion the protection of children from social media-related harms.

"This is a global challenge, and we are all considering the best ways to manage it. We are observing Australia's actions closely," Dahl-Madsen told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. in Melbourne on Monday.

"It's vital that Australia, Denmark, and the EU share lessons, compare experiences, and collaboratively push for practical progress," she added. The focus is on "protecting our children in an increasingly complex digital world."

The Danish government recently suggested enforcing an age limit of 15, but Dahl-Madsen mentioned that Denmark might allow parents to exempt children aged 13-14. Australia does not offer a similar exemption. (AP)

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