It could become one of the strictest rules for the use of social media: Australia's government introduced a bill that would ban children and young people under the age of 16 from accessing it. A role model for other countries?
The Australian government caused a stir with its announcement that it would only allow young people aged 16 and over to use social media. She has now introduced the bill into parliament. It not only sets an age limit for access to social media such as TikTok, Facebook or Instagram. At the same time, the providers are held responsible.
“This is a groundbreaking reform,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, adding. “We know some children will find ways around them, but we are sending a message to social media companies to change their behavior.”
Providers face fines
The law would require platforms – and not parents or young people – to take reasonable measures to ensure age verification. In the event of systematic violations, providers face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (around 30.5 million euros).
The draft sets the highest age limit ever set for social media in any country. The government argues that excessive use of social media poses risks to children's physical and mental health, particularly girls, through harmful body image portrayals and misogynistic content aimed at boys.
The implementation involves testing age verification systems that can include biometric data or government identification. Access to messenger services, email, online games, YouTube, health and education services are not affected, according to the government.
British government is also considering a minimum age
The Australian age restriction could quickly find imitators. The British government is considering setting a minimum age of 16 for using social media. Such a regulation is being considered, said British Minister for Technology Peter Kyle, according to media reports. “When it comes to the safety of young people, everything is up for debate.”
But first he wanted to see how the regulations of an existing new law would be implemented. According to the Online Safety Act, social media operators such as Tiktok, Instagram and Facebook will have an obligation from next year to protect their users, especially children and young people, from illegal and potentially harmful content. This also includes setting and enforcing certain age limits yourself. Violations could result in fines running into the millions.
Kyle also announced a research project to address the harmful effects of social media use on children and young people. Child protection organizations warn that minors are exposed online to bullying, abuse and content that can encourage eating disorders and self-harm.
Age tests are difficult
In Germany, social media platforms must set age restrictions in their terms of use. However, these are almost always under 16 years old – and mostly 13 years old. Verification is also very difficult. There is no general, legally defined minimum age for users of social media in Germany. Theoretically, the parents of young people under the age of 16 would have to agree to its use – but this is rarely verified, and birth dates can easily be falsified during registration.
