A parliamentary committee investigating the impact of social media on Australian society has delivered its final report, proposing sweeping reforms to improve safety and user control. The inquiry, primarily focused on the impact of social media on young Australians, stopped short of endorsing a ban on under-16s accessing these platforms.
The report’s 12 recommendations suggest measures such as granting users the ability to alter, reset, or turn off algorithms, enhancing privacy protections, introducing a duty of care for platforms, and providing access to platform data for researchers and public interest organizations.
Is a Ban on Under-16s the Right Solution?
The inquiry came as the Coalition opposition and the federal government signaled support for legislation banning under-16s from social media. This policy is expected to be introduced in parliament before the end of the year.
However, the committee did not recommend adopting the ban, citing “contrasting views” on whether restricting access would make social media safer for children. The report noted widespread agreement that a ban alone would fail to address the more profound harms digital platforms pose.
“I just don’t know where that age [16] has come from and what the evidence is to support that and whether that’s effective… it seems like it’s just a number someone is plucked out of the air, and it sounds good,” said one advocate during a hearing.
The committee supported the idea of immediate action but acknowledged limitations. “While legislating an age limit might not be the perfect solution and should certainly not be the only solution, it would provide important breathing space for implementing long-term, sustainable digital reforms,” said one member.
How Can Young People Be Involved in Regulatory Design?
The committee strongly emphasized involving young Australians in shaping any regulatory framework. Many young participants expressed frustration over being excluded from decision-making processes.
Another committee member argued against a blanket age ban. “The evidence is in, and it’s clear that banning young people from YouTube is not the solution. You don’t make platforms safer by just locking young people out,” they said. “This report is a call to action for our parliament to stop the toxic tech giants damaging our democracy and targeting our kids.”
In a dissenting report, the government was urged to release its review of the Online Safety Act immediately, prohibit data mining of young people’s information, provide more digital literacy education, and consider a digital services tax on platforms.
What Actions Do Coalition Members Propose?
The Coalition members of the committee called for more stringent measures, including mandating platforms to scan encrypted messages for child abuse material, requiring search engines to act against similar content, and cracking down on “link in bio” profiles that lead to adult or scam websites.
Their report also recommended that platforms take stricter action on pornographic content appearing in search results and proposed enforcing penalties on platforms that fail to comply.
What Is Age Assurance Technology, and How Will It Work?
The government has initiated a six-month trial of age assurance technologies to verify users’ ages as part of broader reforms. The UK-based Age Check Certification Scheme will lead the trial, testing methods like ID credential verification, age estimation, age inference, and parental certifications.
It was confirmed that all users, including existing ones, would undergo the age assurance process. “There will be no grandfathering for current users,” one official stated. It was clarified that even those over 16 would be required to confirm their age.
What Lies Ahead for Social Media Regulation?
The age assurance trial will conclude after parliament debates the proposed legislation to ban under-16s from social media. If passed, providers will have 12 months to implement age verification measures, potentially delaying the policy’s rollout until after the next federal election.
While opinions remain divided, the committee stressed urgency. “We must act now to better protect Australian users,” it stated. However, experts and young Australians alike maintain that a multi-faceted approach—beyond age limits—is crucial to making social media safer and more equitable for all.
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