In a recent commentary published in The Lancet Digital Health, an expert discusses Australia’s proposal to ban social media access for those younger than 16 years old. By setting the bar at 16 years old, lawmakers aim to protect young Australians through what they call a “handbrake on harm” — without isolating or punishing them. The idea is to place responsibility on platforms, not parents or teens, to ensure safety measures are in place.
The Online Safety Amendment
In a pioneering move that’s sparking global conversation, the Australian Government has passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, making it the first country in the world to legislate a minimum age of 16 for access to major social media platforms. The decision, grounded in growing evidence about the potential mental health risks of adolescent social media use, has stirred both support and concern among digital health experts.
The legislation includes a built-in review within two years, allowing for policy adjustments as behaviors, technology, and platform ecosystems evolve. In other words, this is not a final verdict — it’s the beginning of a long-term policy experiment.
But what does this mean for the well-being of young people? Can regulation find the right balance between protection, privacy, and empowerment?
What does the law say?
Under the new legislation:
- Social media platforms classified as “age-restricted” must take “reasonable steps” to prevent users under 16 from creating accounts.
- The scope of these platforms is deliberately broad — any service with the significant purpose of enabling online interaction (excluding messaging apps, online games, and YouTube).
- Age assurance technologies (without mandating Digital ID use) will be trialed with a $6.5 million investment to help the industry understand what “reasonable” measures look like in practice.
- Strong privacy safeguards are included: data used for age assurance cannot be reused or retained beyond verification, and explicit consent is required for any other use.
Potential Benefits of the Age Ban
Implementing an age restriction could lead to several positive outcomes:
- Reduced Exposure to Harmful Content: Adolescents may encounter less inappropriate or distressing material.
- Improved Mental Health: Limiting social media use might decrease issues like anxiety, depression, and poor self-esteem linked to online interactions.
- Enhanced Privacy: Protecting young users from data exploitation and privacy breaches becomes more feasible.
Challenges and considerations
However, the proposed ban presents several challenges.
- Enforcement Difficulties: Effectively verifying users’ ages and ensuring compliance can be complex. There are concerns about the practicality and intrusiveness of enforcing age verification, with some fearing it could lead to increased data collection and privacy infringements.
- Potential for Increased Risk-Taking: the ban may drive tech-savvy youths to seek alternative, potentially less regulated online spaces, potentially exacerbating the risks the legislation aims to mitigate.
- Impact on Social Development: Social media plays a role in modern socialization; restricting access could affect peer interactions and digital literacy.
Alternative approaches
In the commentary, the author suggests considering other strategies:
- Digital Literacy Education: Teaching adolescents how to navigate online spaces responsibly and critically.
- Parental Engagement: Encourage parents to discuss online experiences and set appropriate boundaries.
- Platform Accountability: Urging social media companies to implement stricter content moderation and age-appropriate settings.
It’s not just about age gates…
Australia’s approach could set a precedent for other countries dealing with how to manage youth well-being in digital spaces. It’s not just about age restrictions — it’s about whether governments can create accountable, privacy-conscious systems that foster healthy development while still allowing digital participation.
The proposed social media age ban in Australia is aimed at protecting adolescent mental health, but it is vital to consider the benefits and challenges of the measure. A multifaceted approach that includes education, parental involvement, and corporate responsibility may offer a more effective solution to the complex issues surrounding adolescent social media use.
For the digital health community, this move is worth watching closely. It’s not just legislation. It’s a signal that adolescent mental health is too important to be left unguarded in today’s online world.
