Sydney: Australia is set to lead the way with the world’s first national teen social media ban, with a significant trial beginning in January 2025.
A team of software testers, led by tech contractor KJR, has been tasked with evaluating age-checking technologies for platforms like Instagram, X, TikTok, and Snapchat, which will face penalties if they fail to effectively restrict under-16 users by 2025.
The trial, which will include 1,200 randomly selected Australians, is designed to determine the “reasonable steps” platforms must take to enforce the age restrictions under the new law.
The testing, set to run from January to March 2025, will explore a range of age verification methods, from biometric analysis of video selfies to document uploads verified by third-party providers.
And it will now officially become law.
We’re doing everything we can to keep our kids safe. pic.twitter.com/1Eiy8pv7av
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) November 28, 2024
Andrew Hammond, general manager at KJR, remarked that, “We’re all parents of kids and know the tricks they use to get around restrictions. We’ll be keeping our eyes and ears open.”
The study, which will be overseen by the Age Check Certification Scheme, a British consulting firm, could set a precedent for similar initiatives around the world.
Julie Dawson, chief policy officer at age-verification company Yoti, stated that Australia’s approach will be closely watched internationally. “The government’s decisions could influence how other countries handle online age checks for social media content,” Dawson said.
From late 2025, social media platforms in Australia must prove they are taking sufficient measures to block underage users or face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million). While YouTube is exempt, platforms like Meta’s Instagram, TikTok, and X will need to adapt.
However, the law does not define what constitutes “reasonable steps” a gap the trial is designed to fill. Options under consideration include age estimation via biometric analysis, age verification through identification documents, and age inference by cross-referencing email accounts with other platforms.
The Australian trial comes amid growing concerns about youth mental health and the privacy risks posed by data collection. It is also a response to global calls for greater regulation of social media, which have intensified since the 2021 Meta whistleblower leak suggested the company was aware of its harmful effects on young users.
As part of the trial, participants may be asked to attempt to bypass the verification systems using appearance-altering filters, ensuring that only the most secure and accurate technologies are selected.
The results of the trial, expected by mid-2025, will influence the future of online age restrictions globally, setting new standards for both privacy and safety on social media platforms.
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