Australia’s Social Media Ban for Kids Rules Out Digital ID

A person opens a social media app on a smartphone in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sept. 18, 2024. Mauro Pimentel/AFP via Getty Images

The Australian government has vowed to protect online privacy—and keep the digital ID away—under its “world first” social media ban for children under 16 years of age.

Under the ban, social media companies face fines of up to $49.5 million (US$32.2 million) if they fail to take “reasonable steps” to prevent under 16 year old’s from accessing their platforms.

The legislation will come into force no later than 12 months after the passage of the bill, giving Big Tech firms time to implement age identification measures.

Children will be barred from accessing X, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Reddit, but not YouTube or educational programs. The move comes as authorities around the world grapple with rising mental health issues from children, as well as cyber-bullying, access to pornography, and youth crime.

During debate on Nov. 28, the Labor government with the support of the opposition, moved an amendment on the use of certain identification material and services.

“A provider of an age-restricted social media platform must not collect government issued identification material or use an accredited service within the meaning of the Digital ID Act 2024,” the amendment (pdf) states.

An exception exists if the social media company’s request for a digital ID is “reasonable in the circumstances.”

Data Must be Destroyed, Government Says

In a statement, the government said the legislation contained strong privacy provisions, requiring platforms to ring fence and destroy data once it has been used to verify age.

“Failure to destroy data would be a breach of the Privacy Act, with penalties of up to $49.5 million,” the Albanese government said.

“The bill also makes clear that no Australian will be compelled to use government identification (including Digital ID) for age assurance on social media. Platforms must offer reasonable alternatives to users.”

Speaking in support of the legislation, Liberal Senator Maria Kovacic said her party was wary of the digital ID.

“I want to make one thing abundantly clear from the outset: the Coalition has always been firmly opposed to the implementation of a mandatory digital ID,” she said in Parliament (pdf).

“Such things should always be voluntary. Thanks to the efforts of the Coalition, the bill includes crucial safeguards that prevent social media companies from forcing anyone to hand over sensitive personal information or documentation.”

How the Senators Voted

The law passed the Senate with 34 votes in favour and 19 against during a late night session of Parliament on Nov. 29.

The Coalition and Labor teamed up in the Senate to support the legislation, with Senators Matt Canavan (Nationals) and Alex Antic (Liberal) crossing the floor.

The Greens, One Nation and United Australia Party, along with independents Fatima Payman, Tammy Tyrell, and Gerard Rennick, voted against the bill.

The day after, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government had passed important legislation to keep kids safe online.

“Social media is doing social harm to our kids. We’ve called time on it. We want our kids to have a childhood and parents to know we have their backs,” he said.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland added, “Over the next 12 months, we’ll work closely with industry and experts to ensure the minimum age is effectively implemented, informed by the findings of the Age Assurance Technology Trial currently underway.”

In November, UK-based Age Check Certification Scheme (ACCS) won an Australian government tender to trial age assurance technologies such as biometric markers.

Concerns the Bill Could Lead to ‘Social Credit’ System

Liberal Senator Alex Antic said the bill would not be leading the world in online safety, but rather down the road of “further digital authoritarianism.”

“My fear, that when we finish tonight, we would have put another brick in the wall of a social credit style system in this country, and let everyone look back on tonight as a night of shame,” he said in the Senate on Nov. 28.

Senator Antic also raised concerns about the bill being rushed after only being introduced to the Senate a week ago.

“The fact that we are standing right here now, rushing with 10 minutes to go, when many of us couldn’t even make proper contributions to a second reading debate is a disgrace,” he said.

“We have spent all day talking about ourselves in this building by the way, as we do all the time, and we’ve crammed this critical legislation into making senators juggle between ministerial answers which are being filibustered, I mean this is just not a way to conduct a democracy and I think we are much the poorer for it.”

Meanwhile, Greens Senator Hanson Young described the legislation as a “rubbish bill” with no substance and “weak.”

“It is to make old people to feel like they’ve done something. It’s a false sense of security. It’s also obvious that the people who have drafted and fought for the particular elements of this bill actually have no idea how young people engage with the internet,” she said.

“I mean this is boomers, trying to tell young people how the internet should work. That’s what this bill is.”

However, similar measures to limit access to social media have been occurring across the world.

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law in March 2024 preventing children under the age of 14 from holding social media accounts, and for under 16s to obtain parental consent first.

In France, a law was passed in 2023 requiring social media platforms to obtain parental consent for children under 15.