Australian Teens Challenge New Social Media Ban with Bravado

Australia’s recent legislation banning social media access for users under the age of 16 has sparked a wave of defiance among teenagers. Just one day after the law took effect, social media platforms were filled with posts from young users claiming to be underage. One comment on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese‘s TikTok account read, “I’m still here, wait until I can vote.” This response indicates a significant challenge to the government’s efforts to enforce the new regulations.

The law, supported by major political parties and approximately 75% of Australian parents, mandates that ten major platforms, including TikTok, Meta’s Instagram, and Alphabet’s YouTube, restrict access to underage users. Non-compliance could result in fines of up to A$49.5 million. Albanese emphasized the importance of adherence to the law during an interview on News Corp’s Sky News, stating, “This is the law, this isn’t something that can be flouted.” Despite the initial bravado from some young users, he warned that their actions would lead to the identification and removal of their accounts.

Governments worldwide are watching Australia’s rollout closely as they consider similar measures. U.S. Republican Senator Josh Hawley expressed support for the ban, with countries like France, Denmark, and Malaysia indicating plans to adopt a similar approach.

The Australian eSafety Commissioner has instructed the affected platforms to report the number of under-16 accounts before and after the ban’s implementation on March 15, 2024. Communications Minister Anika Wells affirmed that monitoring will be crucial in assessing compliance and impact.

Despite the government’s efforts, Meta has voiced strong opposition to the new law, citing concerns from experts and parent groups. A spokesperson stated that the ban could push teenagers to less regulated areas of the internet and may not enhance their safety. They argued, “This will result in inconsistent application of the law and ultimately does not make young people safer.”

Platforms such as TikTok and Snap, owner of Snapchat, have remained silent on the implementation of the law, while other platforms like YouTube and Reddit have not yet provided comments. The ban has ignited passionate discussions among commentators, including psychologist Jonathan Haidt, whose book “The Anxious Generation” has been a focal point in the debate. Haidt praised the Australian initiative on social media, stating, “Bravo Australia.”

Concerns have also been raised by UNICEF, which warned that the ban might inadvertently lead children to explore less regulated sections of the internet. In a statement, they emphasized that age restriction laws should not replace the need for improved platform design and content moderation.

Albanese, during a visit to a school in Canberra, asserted that the ban aims to foster better educational outcomes and social interactions by reducing screen time among students. He noted that “you get better social interaction when students aren’t subject to looking at their devices constantly.”

In the lead-up to the legislation, Australian interest in virtual private networks (VPNs), which can obscure a user’s location, surged significantly. Google data indicates that searches for VPNs reached their highest level in a decade the week before the ban, while the free VPN provider Windscribe reported a remarkable 400% increase in installations in Australia within 24 hours of the law coming into effect. Another provider, hide.me, experienced a 65% increase in visits from Australia during the days preceding the ban.

As the new law took effect, some platforms not included in the ban saw a spike in app downloads. The Australian government remarked that the list of platforms covered by the legislation is “dynamic.” Notably, the app Lemon8, owned by TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, introduced an age minimum of 16. Additionally, photo-sharing app Yope reported rapid growth, claiming around 100,000 Australian users, with about half over the age of 16. Yope characterized itself as a private messaging service rather than a social media platform, presenting a unique interpretation of the law.

As this situation unfolds, the effectiveness of the legislation and its implications for young users and social media platforms remain to be seen. The responses from both teenagers and companies suggest that navigating this new landscape will be complex and multifaceted.