The new legislation aims to address online harms affecting youth and will be supported by a $6.5 million age assurance trial. This trial will test various approaches to age verification to help shape future policy, as stated by the Australian government.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the importance of this initiative, declaring that the safety and well-being of young people are “paramount.” He noted, “We know social media is causing social harm and taking kids away from real friends and real experiences.Australian young people deserve better, and I stand with them and all Australian parents in protecting our kids.”
Albanese further asserted, “The safety and mental and physical health of our young people are paramount. We’re supporting parents and keeping kids safe by taking this action because enough is enough.”
In response to a request from Australia’s eSafety regulator, internet companies will be required to develop a mandatory code to prevent children from accessing inappropriate content, including pornography. Non-compliance could lead to the imposition of a regulatory code on the industry.
Globally, attempts to restrict minors’ access to social media have faced obstacles, including legal challenges and technological barriers like virtual private networks that mask users’ locations. These challenges have complicated efforts to enforce restrictions effectively.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland highlighted that parents are seeking a “real solution” to address online issues faced by children. She stated that the new measures aim to ensure safe and positive internet usage for young people.
“As a mother of young daughters and Minister for Communications, I fully understand concerns around harmful online environments and addictive social media behavior in children,” Rowland said.
She added, “We are also holding big tech accountable because platforms and online services have a key responsibility for the safety of their users. We will continue to engage experts, young people, advocates, and parents through the age assurance trial, which is an important aspect of this journey.”
Australia’s new legislation marks a decisive move toward safeguarding its youth in the digital age, aiming to create a safer online environment and enhance parental control over children’s internet usage.