Australian Senate Advances Child Social Media Ban with Age Verification Plan

Australia is moving forward with plans to trial an age-verification system to restrict social media use for children under 16, a measure that could involve biometrics or government-issued IDs.

The proposal, endorsed by a Senate committee, has sparked debates over privacy, implementation, and youth engagement.

Key Details of the Proposed Law

The legislation, backed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labour government and the opposition Liberal Party, seeks to introduce some of the world’s strictest controls on social media.

While the Senate’s Environment and Communications Legislation Committee supports the ban, it has urged caution regarding sensitive age-verification methods like passports or digital IDs.

Instead, the committee recommended exploring less invasive alternatives during the trial phase.

A report on the trial’s progress is expected by September 2025.

The committee also emphasized the need to involve young people, particularly those from marginalised communities, in shaping the final version of the law.

Youth-Centric Approach

Committee Chair Senator Karen Grogan stressed the importance of prioritizing youth voices.

“Young people must be at the centre of this conversation to ensure pathways for connection are maintained as these restrictions are introduced,” she said.

Concerns Over Privacy and Implementation

The bill has faced criticism from various stakeholders:

Tech Companies: Google and Meta have urged delaying the ban until the trial concludes, while TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) called for more thorough consultation.

X raised concerns about potential infringements on children’s rights.

Lawmakers: Independent MPs criticised the government for rushing the legislation, introduced just a week ago, with limited time for public input and a single hearing held on Monday.

High Stakes for Social Media Platforms

If passed, the law would impose significant penalties on platforms that fail to implement robust age-verification measures.

Companies could face fines of up to A$49.5 million (US$32 million) for systemic non-compliance.

Next Steps

The trial and subsequent feedback will determine how Australia balances youth safety, privacy, and access to social media.

As the debate continues, the government aims to create a model that ensures both compliance and positive alternatives for young users.