Social media age checks: Tech giants given strict new rules
Australia has unveiled the world’s toughest rules for social media companies, demanding they actively hunt down and remove users under 16.
Social media giants must actively detect underage users on their platforms and deactivate their accounts, or face a fine of up to $49.5m, under the Australian government’s world-leading laws.
Under the laws, which go live on December 10, tech platforms must also work to stop children re-registering or circumventing the under-16 ban, and ensure there is a proper appeals channel.
Communications Minister Anika Wells will on Tuesday reveal a list of “reasonable steps” social media platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube must take, including that their age assurance technology not be set-and-forget.
The platforms must also avoid relying on self-declaration, and should take a layered or “waterfall approach” by applying different measures across the user experience to catch errors.
Platforms must remove existing underage accounts “with care and clear communication”, and provide accessible review mechanisms for users who feel they’ve been wrongly flagged.
Ms Wells and eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant would take the guidance directly to tech platforms when they travel to the United States later this month.
After the age assurance technology trial demonstrated platforms have the tools to comply with the world-leading laws, Ms Wells said there was no excuse for social media companies not to meet their new legal responsibilities.
“This industry guidance makes clear our strong expectations that social media platforms step up to the plate to implement the minimum age in a way that is effective, private, and fair on Australian users,” she said.
“The government has done the work to ensure that platforms have the information they need to comply with the new laws – and it’s now on them to take the necessary steps.
“Parents, kids – indeed the entire Australian community – are relying on them to keep young Australians safer online.
“eSafety’s guidance makes clear that platforms must comply with the law, and also provide transparent and accessible information to their users about their age assurance systems.”
In its guidance, eSafety reiterated tech companies will not be asked to verify the age of all users, and cannot use government ID as the sole method. Platforms are not expected to keep personal information.
Underage users should not be automatically ported to alternative platforms – like from Facebook to Messenger Kids – without explicit opt-in.
How tech companies meet these expectations will be watched closely by other countries who are considering following Australia’s lead.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen last week announced she was looking at how Europe could keep children off social media.
“I will commission a panel of experts to advise me by the end of this year on the best approach for Europe,” she said.
Separately, a French inquiry concluded under 16s should be banned from the platforms and a digital curfew be imposed for those under 18.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will use his trip to New York later this month for the United Nations General Assembly to urge other world leaders to follow in his footsteps and keep children safe.
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Originally published as Social media age checks: Tech giants given strict new rules
