Australia Imposes Prohibition Of Social Media For Youth, Enforcement Is A Challenge

Andrewcheam, General Manager of KJR (photo: x @kjr_au)

JAKARTA Australia officially became the first country in the world to impose a ban on the use of social media for teens this week. However, major challenges are now emerging in efforts to enforce these rules. The Australian government has hired software testers to look for effective age verification methods, with trials scheduled to take place from January to March 2025.

c leads the trial, revealing that his team will randomly test about 1,200 Australians. "We are all parents with children of various ages, and we really understand the tricks children use in cyberspace," he said.

Some age verification options under consideration include:

Tony Allen, CEO of the Age Check Certification Scheme who oversees this trial, said that the technology used must meet standard accuracy, privacy, security, and ease of use. "We don't want to collect personal data," he said.

Although this rule aims to protect children from the negative effects of social media, many have questioned its effectiveness. Elon Musk, the owner of platform X (formerly Twitter), criticized the rule by calling it a "screened way to control internet access in Australia".

Technology such as facial biometric analysis used by companies like Yoti, Meta partners for age verification on Instagram, is considered to have great potential. However, according to Mia Garlick, Director of Meta Policy for Australia and New Zealand, there are still challenges as physical growth of a person does not always reflect their age accurately.

The software testers will ask test participants to try to trick the system with a face adjustment filter. Only technology capable of preventing this manipulation will be recommended.

Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat should show that they are taking laws' to prevent users under the age of 16 from facing fines of up to USD 49.5 million. However, the law does not specify these measures, which are the reasons for this trial.

Allen emphasized that there is no single solution that can be applied universally. Consumers must have a choice. All methods must be effective and meet certain standards," he said.

With the results of the trial expected to be completed by mid-2025, Australia's decision is expected to affect similar policies in other countries that are considering age restrictions on social media.