Tech giants Meta and TikTok have confirmed they will comply with Australia’s upcoming law banning users under 16 from social media platforms, but both companies warned Tuesday that enforcing the rules could be extremely challenging.
Starting December 10, social media firms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and possibly YouTube, WhatsApp, and Roblox, will be required to remove users under the age of 16. Companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to $32 million.
TikTok’s Australia policy lead, Ella Woods-Joyce, told a Senate hearing that while the company would follow the law, it may have unintended consequences. She said experts believe the age restriction could push young users toward more dangerous parts of the internet where fewer protections exist.
Meta’s policy director, Mia Garlick, said the company plans to remove hundreds of thousands of underage accounts before the deadline. However, she noted that age detection remains a “significant” technical challenge, with the company still working through engineering and compliance hurdles.
Under the legislation, platforms aren’t required to verify every user’s age, but must take “reasonable steps” to detect and remove underage users. Industry players are describing the law as one of the world’s strictest, though critics have labeled it “vague” and “rushed.”
YouTube, also affected by the ban, echoed similar concerns. Its local spokesperson, Rachel Lord, said the policy was well-meaning but poorly designed, warning it may not succeed in making children safer online.
Australia’s online safety regulator has indicated the ban may also extend to other platforms such as Twitch and Roblox, though those details have not been finalized. With less than six weeks until the law comes into effect, key questions about enforcement and scope remain unresolved.
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“However, she noted that age detection remains a “significant” technical challenge, with the company still working through engineering and compliance hurdles.”