Social media age ban only the first step toward safer online spaces
Australia’s move to ban social media use under age 16 is just one piece of a larger effort to create safer online environments for children . The upcoming law—passed in late 2024 and effective by December 2025—will oblige platforms to show “reasonable steps” are in place to prevent under‑16s from accessing services and may include fines up to A$50 million . But regulators and policymakers agree that age restrictions alone won’t suffice. Australia is also reviewing industry codes for porn restrictions, drafting a digital “Duty of Care” for platforms, and is planning a Children’s Online Privacy Code to regulate data collection from minors . New technologies for age verification—like digital ID services that confirm a user is above a threshold without sharing personal data—are being trialed in areas like gaming. These systems aim to protect children across all digital spaces, not just social media . The reforms reflect a shift toward systemic, proactive safety measures rather than reactive bans.
