Australia Introduces Minimum Age for Platforms
Australia has launched one of the world’s strictest measures to control youth access to social media, barring anyone under 16 from holding accounts on major platforms. The law places the responsibility on tech companies to prevent underage registration, with substantial penalties for failure. Officials say the move aims to reduce online harms, including exposure to inappropriate content and mental health issues. Critics, however, question whether age verification can be reliably enforced and warn that teens may turn to less regulated platforms.
Europe Moves Toward Stronger Safeguards
Across Europe, authorities are pursuing similar initiatives to protect minors online. The European Parliament has recommended raising the minimum age for social media to 16, while individual nations are developing their own approaches. Denmark is considering a ban for those under 15, and countries such as France, Germany, and Italy continue to rely on parental consent for younger users. These measures highlight a shared concern for children’s online safety, though the approaches remain uneven across the continent.
Debate Over Privacy and Practicality
As governments implement stricter age restrictions, debates are growing over privacy and feasibility. Critics caution that age-verification systems may risk exposing sensitive data or be exploited, while supporters argue that stronger protections are necessary to prevent online harassment and exposure to harmful content. Policymakers and technology companies face the challenge of creating systems that safeguard young users without undermining privacy or access to online resources.
