Sydney: Google has stated that the Australian law on teen social media will be extremely difficult to enforce, raising concerns over the effectiveness of the government’s initiative to restrict under-16s from using platforms.
Australia is set to become the first country to block social media access for people under 16 starting in December. Platforms will not be required to conduct direct age verification. Instead, companies are expected to rely on artificial intelligence and behavioural data to infer the age of users.
During a parliamentary hearing on online safety rules, YouTube’s senior manager of government affairs in Australia, Rachel Lord, said that well-crafted legislation can complement industry efforts but that the current law may not protect children effectively.
Google’s government affairs director Stef Lovett confirmed that US colleagues are aware of the challenges the company faces under the Australian law, particularly ahead of upcoming discussions between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US officials.
The legislation, part of Australia’s Online Safety Amendment passed in November 2024, aims to address concerns about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health. Companies have been given a year to comply and face a December 10 deadline to deactivate accounts of underage users.
YouTube was recently added to the list of platforms covered by the legislation after initial exemptions were reversed. Google maintains that YouTube is a video-sharing site rather than a social media platform, highlighting the complexities of defining online services under the law.
Google has reiterated that stopping children from accessing social media is not a substitute for online safety measures. Instead, the company has suggested that parents be provided with tools to guide children’s online experiences while platforms focus on protective measures.
Experts and tech firms globally are observing Australia closely, as the enforcement of this law may set precedents for online safety regulations in other countries. Google’s warnings underscore the challenges governments face in balancing child protection with practical implementation in a digital age.
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