Australia’s recent social media ban for individuals under 16 has prompted a strong response from tech giants, notably Meta. The legislation, which took effect on December 11th, prohibits access to ten major platforms, including Meta’s Instagram and Facebook, Alphabet’s YouTube, Bytedance’s TikTok, Reddit, and Snapchat.
In a single week, from December 4th to December 11th, Meta reported removing nearly 550,000 accounts suspected of belonging to users under the age of 16. This included approximately 330,000 accounts from Instagram, 173,500 from Facebook, and close to 40,000 from Threads.
Meta has expressed its commitment to complying with the new regulations. However, the company is urging the Australian government to collaborate with the industry to explore alternative solutions. Meta advocates for a more nuanced approach that incentivizes all platforms to enhance safety and privacy for younger users, rather than implementing broad bans.
To facilitate compliance, Meta has partnered with the non-profit OpenAge Initiative to introduce Age Keys. This system allows users to verify their age through methods such as government-issued identification, financial information, facial estimation, or national digital wallets.
Meta also highlighted a critical gap in the current regulatory framework: the need for age verification and parental consent to be extended to app stores. The company pointed out that teenagers often utilize numerous apps weekly, many of which lack robust age verification tools or prioritize safety. Without comprehensive, industry-wide protections across all digital services, Meta argues that a “whack-a-mole” scenario will ensue, where teens will simply migrate to unbanned applications to circumvent the restrictions.
Previously, Meta voiced concerns that the ban would isolate teenagers from their social circles and communities, and that some users would inevitably find ways to access social media without the established safeguards.
Indeed, since the ban, many Australian teens have sought alternative avenues. Platforms like Snapchat-alternative Yope, Bytedance’s Lemon8, and the messaging app Discord have seen increased usage. Reports also indicate that some under-16s are employing VPNs or using their parents’ social media accounts to maintain access.
Meta is not alone in questioning the efficacy of the ban. Reddit has launched a legal challenge, arguing that the law is ineffective and potentially stifles political discourse. The platform contends that such restrictions could prevent young people from engaging in age-appropriate community experiences, including political discussions, which can shape the views of future voters.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has framed the ban as a measure to empower parents and families by reducing the influence of large tech companies, allowing children to “be kids.” The eSafety Commissioner echoed this sentiment, suggesting the ban reduces exposure to harmful content and shifts responsibility for teen online activity from parents to tech companies.
The mental health implications of social media use among adolescents are a growing global concern, and Australia’s ban could influence other nations. In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a warning about a teen mental health crisis linked to social media, citing increased rates of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and low self-esteem.
These concerns have fueled the rise of parent-led movements worldwide advocating for smartphone restrictions for children, including groups like Smartphone Free Childhood in the UK, Wait Until 8th in the U.S., Unplugged in Canada, No Es Momento in Mexico, and The Heads Up Alliance in Australia.
Prominent figures like NYU professor Jonathan Haidt, author of “The Anxious Generation,” advocate for delaying smartphone access until age 14 and social media access until age 16.
While Prime Minister Albanese aims for a long-term positive impact on mental health, the immediate effects of the ban are varied. Some Australian teens report positive habit changes, while others express feelings of isolation or are actively seeking workarounds to access banned platforms.
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