Australia vs. social media: Is banning access for under-16s the solution?

The Australian government has proposed a law that would prohibit the use of social media by those under the age of 16, aiming to mitigate the negative effects these platforms can have on young people’s mental health.    

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he initiative, one of the strictest in the world, seeks to bring the minimum age for accessing social networks to the same level as other legal milestones in the country, such as the age for driving or enlisting in the army. However, this proposal has generated debate between those who consider it necessary to protect minors and those who warn of its possible negative consequences. 

What does the proposal entail? 

The plan places the responsibility on social media platforms to prevent minors under 16 from accessing their services through stricter age verification systems. Companies that do not comply with this rule could face financial penalties of up to 50 million dollars, although parents and teenagers would not be penalized. 

The new measures amend an existing framework, the Online Safety Act, and also cover pornography sites, which will also need to implement age verification methods to prevent access by minors under 18. 

The measure does not include exceptions for teenagers who already have active social media accounts, nor does it allow access under parental consent for minors below the established age. 

The government has proposed a one-year adaptation period before the law takes effect and indicated that certain platforms, such as YouTube Kids, might be exempt. 

The sense of “urgency” conveyed by the project, whose legislative foundation will be approved shortly, although the trials on verification methods will not be made public until at least mid-2025, has raised concerns among major tech companies like Meta and digital rights groups, who are calling for a debate with the participation of all parties. These groups argue that the government is exploiting parents’ fears to pass coercive laws. 

Why social media is under fire 

Studies linking social media use to mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, are increasingly prevalent. For instance, a comprehensive 2023 study¹ highlights: 

• Up to 95% of teenagers aged 13 to 17 use social media. 

• More than one-third use it “almost constantly.” 

• Teenagers who spend over 3 hours daily on social media are twice as likely to exhibit symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

• There is a correlation between exposure to self-harm and suicide content on social media and the normalization of such behaviors. 

In this context, raising the minimum age for access is seen as a valid strategy to protect young people during critical developmental stages. 

The proposal has also been described as a tool for parents to limit their children’s access to these platforms, especially given the social pressure teenagers face to stay connected. Additionally, some experts view this policy as an opportunity to reduce minors’ exposure to potentially harmful or inappropriate content, as noted above. 

Various sectors have expressed reservations about the effectiveness and potential consequences of the ban. On one hand, the prohibition could hinder teenagers from benefiting from social media opportunities, such as emotional support, connecting with like-minded communities, and developing digital skills. 

Concerns have also been raised about how the ban might encourage covert use of these platforms, making supervision and open dialogue between youth and adults more challenging. From a technical perspective, implementing robust age verification systems could require personal or biometric data, posing privacy and data security challenges. 

Moreover, questions remain about whether banning access truly addresses the underlying issues. Some experts suggest it may be more effective to educate teenagers about responsible social media use and foster resilience in navigating the digital environment. 

Positions of the tech industry 

Major tech companies have expressed willingness to comply with government restrictions while emphasizing the need for a more balanced approach. Proposed solutions include age verification through app stores or artificial intelligence, rather than measures requiring sensitive data collection. 

Industry also warns of the risk that a total ban would push young people onto unregulated platforms, increasing risks rather than mitigating them. These organisations stress the importance of finding a balance between the protection of minors and access to digital tools that also offer benefits. Some sectors point to the contradiction of selling the ‘benefits’ of platforms that are designed to engage and promote intensive and constant use. 

In this regard, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young opposed the new regulations in a recent interview, considering them a “too simplistic” solution that does not address the underlying issues. Instead of banning access, she argues that online safety mechanisms should be created, regulating “toxic” algorithms and data collection, and holding tech platforms accountable for harmful content. 

Regarding mental health, she acknowledges that hospitalization rates for mental health issues have increased, especially among girls, but insists that a ban is not the solution. Instead, she advocates for a more comprehensive approach that includes education and parental support. 

Conclusion

Australia’s proposal highlights the complexity of regulating social media use among young people. While the measure aims to shield them from known risks, it raises questions about its feasibility, effectiveness, and potential side effects. 

A balanced approach combining reasonable restrictions with education and support is essential to help teenagers navigate the digital world safely and responsibly, with parental involvement from the onboarding process onward. 

In a global environment where social media plays an increasingly significant role, Australia’s case could set an important precedent, either as a model of success or as a starting point for deeper analysis. 

¹ Social Media and Youth Mental Health | The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory. 2023 

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