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TikTok, Meta brace for Australian social media ban fallout
- Australia has passed a law that bans under-16s from using social media, which could have implications for the likes of TikTok and Facebook. The move, which introduces some of the strictest rules relating to online content outside of non-democratic regimes such as China, could spur other nations to follow suit. Measures have also been trialled or proposed in France, Florida and Texas, as well as the UK. However, critics have called the new law ineffective and academics have also warned of the unintended and complex effects of the ban.
- The law will take effect in around 12 months, and will require digital platforms including Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok to enforce the age limit on users, with potential fines of A$50m ($32m) for breaches. Despite being placed under pressure to do so, it is so far unclear how the platforms will verify ages, and children who find a way to evade such controls will not be fined. The legislation is aimed at giving Australian children a childhood and has proved popular with voters, who approve of the ban by a margin of 77%, according to a YouGov survey.
- Yet the ban has also attracted criticism. Big tech players such as Facebook owner Meta Platforms and Elon Musk’s X have both expressed misgivings about the legislation. Academics warn that a ban will do nothing to resolve the deeper issues of online bullying and the mental health effects of exposure to harmful content: platforms should instead focus on disabling algorithms that magnify negative content, said Lisa Given, Professor of Information Sciences at RMIT University in Melbourne. Additionally, the ban will potentially harm the business models of TikTok, Facebook and Snapchat, by depriving them of a key user group.
- TikTok said the legislation was “rushed” and “unworkable”, while X, known as Twitter before it was bought by Musk, said it had “serious concerns as to the lawfulness of the bill”, prompting the possibility of a court challenge. Unicef also criticised the ban, saying it would push young people into the unregulated corners of the internet. Other nations, including Norway, the UK and France, have attempted to curb young children’s access to social media.
- The World Health Organization warned in September that children's use of social media could have far-reaching consequences for adolescent development and their long-term health. The Geneva-based organization called for “immediate and sustained action” to be taken on the issue, and the ban in Australia sets a new precedent on age usage of social media by introducing age thresholds for social media use, irrespective of parental permission.
- Social media and other online communications platforms have faced intense scrutiny in recent years. Among the issues that have caused concern are online bullying and grooming, as well as scams perpetrated via the medium. Yet the simplicity of Australia’s ban has also highlighted the complexity of the problem. YouTube has been deemed exempt from the ban, despite the possibility that it might contain equally toxic content under videos as other sites. Discord and WhatsApp have also been exempted.
- France has aimed to keep under-15s off social media, while in the UK, Peter Kyle, the Secretary of State for Science and Technology, has been in contact with the Australian government to learn more about its ban and reasoning. Simon Kemp, founder of Singapore-based digital consulting firm Kepios, suggests such rules are set to become more common around the world. Meanwhile, Anthony Albanese, leader of the Australian opposition, warned of the potential impact to protect freedoms, and said a balance must be struck.
- The world of social media has come under increasing pressure over a range of concerns, with many parents expressing anger and wanting regulation. Social media can offer young people vital information, entertainment and communications, but can also expose them to online bullying and grooming. Solutions to protect vulnerable children is becoming a global priority.
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