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Following the world’s first social media ban for under-16s in Australia, Ireland is considering implementing a similar ban. There are many considerations – digital rights, data protection, privacy rights, protecting users from harm – as well as practical considerations, including how it would feasibly work and whether it could be possible under EU regulations.
So what is the ban in Australia, what are the arguments for and against, and will ireland follow suit?
On Wednesday, December 10th, Australia will become the first country to implement a state-wide ban on social media for under-16s.
The Australian government is hoping to protect young people from the negative aspects of social media, after a study found that 96 per cent of Australian children used social media, with 70 per cent having been exposed to harmful content at one point.
Following the passing of the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 on November 28th, last year, social media companies must take “reasonable steps” to ban users under 16.
From December 10th onwards, anyone under 16 in Australia will not be able to keep or make accounts on social media apps, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, X, facebook, Reddit and more. The list of social media apps included in the ban may also be updated at any time.
The burden is on social media companies, which must prevent under-16s from creating accounts or risk fines of up to €28.5 million ($50 million).
The Australian government has stipulated that the age verification by the platforms must involve more than simply requesting IDs.
The guardian has reported that Meta has chosen not to disclose how it will verify people’s ages,as this will likely alert users on how to avoid the ban. Snapchat, on the other hand, will use account behavioural signals and the birth date that users input when they sign up.
On December 10th, social media platforms will employ differing strategies regarding current users’ accounts who are under 16.
The Guardian said that Facebook and Instagram accounts will allow users to download their photos and videos, and put their accounts on hold until they turn 16. They are also given the option of deleting their account completely.
Users who are mistakenly taken to be under 16 when they are actually of age will need to go through an appeals process, the Australian government has said.
What are the arguments for and against?
The negative impacts of social media are well-documented. A study by ExpressVPN last year found that 45 per cent of Gen Z users are already reducing screen time to improve their mental wellbeing.
Possible benefits of a social media ban for young people include helping children overcome an unhealthy dependency on their phones, reducing exposure to online harm and inappropriate content, and encouraging children to pursue other activities.
It may also protect children from grooming and catfishing, decrease childrens’ exposure to filtered images displaying perfection, and help parents through taking away their childrens’ FOMO (fear of missing out).