Over Half a Million Social Media Profiles Blocked in Australia Following Youth Protection Law
Over half a million social media profiles were deactivated in the immediate aftermath of the implementation of an Australian law aimed at protecting minors online.
This significant legal decision, which has drawn global attention, prevents any individual under the age of 16 from owning an account on major social media platforms. This law was defended by activists and the government alike, who believe it is a crucial step towards protecting the youth from harmful content and manipulative algorithms online.
Giants of the Tech World Respond
Big tech companies agree that more measures need to be taken to ensure the safety of young people online. Yet, they continue to advocate for different solutions to this issue. Experts in the field have also voiced their concern about the new law.
A statement from one of the major tech companies, which was issued in a blog post, urged the Australian government to engage in constructive discussions with the tech industry to find a more suitable solution. The company suggested encouraging the entire industry to enhance standards in providing safe, privacy-protecting and age-appropriate experiences online, rather than implementing blanket bans.
During the first week of the new law's enforcement, this tech company announced the blocking of over 300,000 Instagram accounts, about 170,000 Facebook accounts, and nearly 40,000 Threads accounts.
Call for Age Verification at App Store Level
The tech companies argue that age validation should occur at the level of the app store. They claim this could reduce the burden of compliance for both regulators and the apps themselves. They also suggest creating exemptions for parental approval.
They believe this is the only way to ensure consistent, industry-wide protections for young people, regardless of the apps they use. This approach is expected to prevent the cat-and-mouse game of catching up with new apps that teens might switch to in order to evade the social media ban law.
Australia's Decision Sparks Global Interest
Australia is the first jurisdiction to implement such a stringent policy, even refusing to allow exemptions for parental approval. This tough stance has sparked interest from various governments worldwide, including the US state of Florida and the European Union, which have been considering limiting children's social media use.
This policy has been well received by parents and is even admired by global leaders. It has been indicated that similar policies could be adopted in other countries if current leadership changes in future elections.
Concerns About the New Law
However, some experts have expressed concerns, suggesting that Australian minors might find ways to bypass the ban. These could include deceiving the technology responsible for age checks or seeking alternative, potentially less secure, online spaces to interact.
Many young people, supported by some mental health advocates, have expressed their concerns that this law could deprive them of important social connections. They argue that this is particularly relevant for LGBTQ+, neurodivergent or rural communities. They also believe it might leave them less prepared to handle the realities of life on the internet.