Australia Restricts Social Media Account Creation for Those Under 16

As of January 21, 2025, Australia has enacted the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, which prohibits individuals under the age of 16 from creating accounts on specified social media platforms. This legislation was passed by the Australian Parliament in November 2024 and is scheduled to come into effect in late 2025, allowing a transition period for social media companies to implement the necessary age verification measures.

The law mandates that social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, and X (formerly Twitter), take reasonable steps to prevent users under 16 from accessing their services. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to AUD 49.5 million. Notably, platforms primarily used for educational or health purposes, such as YouTube, WhatsApp, Google Classroom, and Messenger Kids, are exempt from this restriction.

The responsibility for enforcing this age restriction lies with the social media companies, not with parents or guardians. The Australian government is collaborating with these platforms to develop effective age verification methods that balance user privacy with compliance. This initiative aims to protect young Australians from potential online harms associated with social media usage.

Will the other Western Countries Follow Suit?

Australia’s recent legislation banning social media access for individuals under 16 has prompted discussions in several Western countries about implementing similar measures. Here’s an overview of current and proposed regulations:

United Kingdom: The UK has introduced the Online Safety Act, which mandates social media platforms to implement robust age verification methods to prevent children from accessing harmful content. Starting in January 2025, platforms hosting explicit material are required to have these checks in place. While the UK has not imposed a blanket ban on under-16s using social media, it is considering stricter regulations to enhance online safety for minors.

Norway: The Norwegian government has proposed raising the minimum age for social media use from 13 to 15. This initiative aims to protect young users from online risks, though it acknowledges the challenges in enforcement, given the high percentage of children under 13 currently using social media.

France: In 2023, France enacted a law requiring social media platforms to obtain parental consent for users under 15. However, technical challenges have delayed its full enforcement. President Emmanuel Macron has advocated for establishing 15 as the “digital majority” across Europe, empowering parents to decide on their children’s social media access.

United States: At the federal level, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) requires parental consent for data collection from users under 13. Some states have introduced additional measures; for instance, California’s Age-Appropriate Design Code mandates platforms to assess and mitigate risks to minors, though its implementation has faced legal challenges.

While no Western country has yet mirrored Australia’s outright ban for under-16s, the trend indicates a growing emphasis on strengthening age verification and parental consent mechanisms to safeguard minors online.

Is there a demonstration anywhere of how it will work?

As of January 21, 2025, Australia is in the process of determining the most effective methods to enforce its upcoming ban on social media access for individuals under 16. The legislation, passed in November 2024, is set to take effect in late 2025, providing a transition period for social media platforms to implement necessary age verification measures.

To identify the most suitable age verification technologies, the Australian government has commissioned the Age Check Certification Scheme (ACCS), a UK-based organization, to conduct trials. These trials, scheduled from January to March 2025, will involve approximately 1,200 randomly selected Australians. The ACCS will evaluate various methods, including:

Biometric Analysis: Assessing users’ age through video selfies, which are analyzed and then deleted to ensure privacy.
Document Verification: Utilizing third-party providers to confirm age via official identification documents, with only an anonymous confirmation sent to the social media platform.
Data Cross-Referencing: Inferring age by cross-referencing users’ email addresses with other accounts.

The outcomes of these trials will inform the government’s recommendations on implementing age verification in a manner that balances accuracy, privacy, security, and user-friendliness. While specific demonstrations of these technologies are not publicly available at this time, the trial results, expected by mid-2025, will provide further clarity on the chosen methods.

It’s important to note that the legislation mandates social media platforms to take “reasonable steps” to verify users’ ages but does not prescribe specific technologies, allowing flexibility in compliance approaches.

How Might a Social Networks Passport for Young People Work?

A social network passport for young people is a compelling idea with potential benefits and drawbacks.

How it might work:

Verification and Age Gating: The passport could be a digital or physical document verifying a young person’s age and identity. This would help prevent underage access to platforms with age restrictions.
Education and Training: Before obtaining the passport, young people could undergo mandatory training on online safety, privacy, and responsible social media use. This would equip them with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world safely.
Parental Controls and Consent: Parents or guardians could be involved in the passport application process, granting consent and potentially setting initial privacy and usage restrictions. The passport could offer flexible controls that adjust as the young person matures.
Tiered Access: The passport could unlock different levels of access or features on social networks depending on the user’s age and maturity level. This could prevent younger users from being exposed to inappropriate content or interactions.
Digital Literacy and Citizenship: The passport initiative could be linked to broader programs promoting digital literacy and responsible online citizenship. This would empower young people to use social media positively and contribute to a healthy online environment.
Data Privacy and Security: The passport system would need to prioritize data privacy and security, ensuring that young people’s personal information is protected. Robust safeguards would be necessary to prevent misuse or unauthorized access.

Potential Benefits:

Enhanced Online Safety: Age verification and mandatory training could help protect young people from online predators, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful content.
Responsible Use and Digital Citizenship: The passport could encourage responsible social media use, promoting positive online interactions and discouraging harmful behaviors.
Gradual Exposure and Maturity: Tiered access could allow young people to gradually adapt to the complexities of social media as they mature, minimizing potential risks.
Parental Involvement and Guidance: The passport could facilitate parental involvement and guidance, helping young people navigate the digital world safely with support from their families.¹

Potential Drawbacks:

Privacy Concerns: Collecting and storing personal information raises privacy concerns, requiring strict security measures and transparent data management practices.
Access Inequality: Not all young people may have equal access to the resources and support needed to obtain the passport, potentially creating a digital divide.
Implementation Challenges: Implementing a universal social network passport system would be complex, requiring collaboration between governments, social media companies, and educational institutions.
Restriction of Freedom: Overly restrictive measures could limit young people’s freedom of expression and access to information, hindering their online experience.

Conclusion:

A social network passport for young people is an innovative concept with the potential to enhance online safety and promote responsible social media use. However, careful consideration must be given to privacy concerns, access inequality, and potential restrictions on freedom. A successful implementation would require a balanced approach that prioritizes the well-being of young people while respecting their rights and autonomy in the digital space.

How Would a Young Person be Authorized to Have Such a Passport?

Authorization for a young person to obtain a social network passport would likely involve a multi-step process with several key actors:

1. Age Verification:

Official Documents: This could involve providing a birth certificate, government-issued ID, or other reliable proof of age.¹
Digital Verification: Potentially, secure digital identity platforms or government databases could be used for seamless age verification.
Parental Confirmation: In some cases, parental or guardian confirmation of the young person’s age might be required.

2. Completion of Educational Program:

Online Safety Modules: Young people would need to complete online modules covering topics like cyberbullying, online predators, privacy settings, responsible sharing, and identifying misinformation.
Digital Literacy Training: This could include lessons on critical thinking, media literacy, and understanding online rights and responsibilities.
Assessment or Certification: A test or certification process might be necessary to ensure comprehension of the training material.

3. Parental/Guardian Consent (depending on age):

For younger users: Parental consent would likely be mandatory, with options for parents to set initial privacy restrictions and usage limits.
For older teens: Parental consent might be required up to a certain age, perhaps 13 or 16, with increasing autonomy granted as the user matures.
Consent Forms and Agreements: Clear consent forms outlining the terms and conditions of the passport and data usage would need to be signed by both the young person and their parent/guardian.

4. Issuance of the Passport:

Digital Format: The passport could be a digital credential stored on the young person’s device or within a secure online platform.
Physical Format: Alternatively, it could be a physical card with necessary identification and verification information.
Integration with Social Networks: Social media platforms would need to integrate with the passport system to verify users’ ages and potentially adjust access or features based on their passport level.

Important Considerations:

Accessibility: The authorization process should be accessible to all young people, regardless of their socioeconomic background or technological capabilities.
Data Privacy: Robust data protection measures would be essential to safeguard young people’s personal information.
Flexibility: The system should be flexible enough to adapt to evolving social media platforms and online safety challenges.

This multi-faceted approach would help ensure that young people are adequately prepared and authorized to navigate the digital world responsibly with the support of their parents and educators.

What Would the Overall Impact on Social Site Be Like?

The introduction of a social network passport system for young people could have a profound impact on social media sites, with both positive and negative consequences:

Positive Impacts:

Increased User Trust and Safety: By verifying ages and ensuring young people have basic online safety training, the platform becomes a more trusted space for younger users and their families. This could lead to increased user engagement and platform growth.
Reduced Harmful Content and Interactions: With better age verification and tiered access, platforms could more effectively filter inappropriate content and limit interactions between children and adults, reducing instances of cyberbullying, online grooming, and exposure to harmful content.
Improved Platform Reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to youth safety and responsible use could enhance the platform’s reputation and attract more users, including advertisers who may be more willing to invest in a safer online environment.
New Opportunities for Education and Engagement: The passport system could be integrated with educational initiatives and tools, providing young people with valuable learning experiences and promoting positive online engagement.

Negative Impacts:

Reduced User Base: Strict age verification and parental consent requirements could initially lead to a decrease in younger users, especially if the process is perceived as cumbersome or restrictive.
Increased Costs and Complexity: Implementing and maintaining a passport system would require significant investment in technology, personnel, and user support, potentially increasing operating costs for social media companies.
Potential for Discrimination and Exclusion: If not carefully designed, the passport system could inadvertently create barriers for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who may lack access to the necessary resources or support.
Challenges to Innovation and Freedom of Expression: Overly restrictive measures could stifle innovation and limit young people’s freedom of expression, potentially hindering the platform’s growth and dynamism.

Overall:

The impact on social media sites would depend on the specific design and implementation of the passport system. A well-designed system that prioritizes user safety, privacy, and accessibility could lead to a more positive and trusted online environment for young people. However, social media companies would need to carefully balance these benefits against potential costs, complexities, and challenges to innovation and freedom of expression.

Adaptations and Responses:

Social media sites would likely need to adapt to the passport system in several ways:

Develop robust age verification mechanisms.
Create tiered access levels and content filtering systems.
Invest in educational resources and user support.
Collaborate with governments, educators, and parents.
Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations.

By proactively addressing these challenges and embracing the potential benefits, social media sites could create a safer and more enriching online experience for young people while fostering a more responsible and sustainable digital ecosystem.

Would Advertising to Younger People Finally Be Finished?

It’s unlikely that advertising to young people would be completely “finished” with the introduction of a social network passport system. However, it would likely undergo significant changes and face stricter regulations. Here’s why:

1. Enhanced Targeting and Transparency:

Accurate Age Data: With verified age information, advertisers could more accurately target age-appropriate ads, avoiding the ethical concerns of marketing to very young children.
Transparency and Consent: The passport system could require explicit consent for data collection and ad targeting, giving young people more control over their online experience.
Contextual Advertising: Advertisers might focus more on contextual advertising, aligning ads with the content being consumed rather than relying solely on personal data.

2. Stricter Regulations and Ethical Considerations:

Protection of Children: Governments and regulatory bodies would likely impose stricter rules on advertising to children, limiting manipulative tactics and promoting age-appropriate content.
Ethical Marketing Practices: Social media platforms and advertisers would need to prioritize ethical considerations, ensuring ads are not harmful, deceptive, or exploitative.
Parental Controls: Parents could have greater control over the types of ads their children are exposed to, potentially blocking certain categories or setting time limits.

3. Shifting Media Consumption Habits:

Diverse Platforms: Young people are increasingly diversifying their media consumption, spending less time on traditional social networks and more time on gaming platforms, streaming services, and other online communities.
Ad-Blocking and Avoidance: Many young people are already adept at using ad blockers and avoiding online advertising, forcing advertisers to find more creative and engaging ways to reach them.
Influencer Marketing: Influencer marketing is likely to remain a powerful tool, but with increased transparency and authenticity requirements.

4. Empowerment and Education:

Media Literacy: The passport system could be coupled with media literacy programs, teaching young people to critically analyze advertising messages and make informed choices.
Digital Wellbeing: The focus could shift towards promoting digital wellbeing and responsible online consumption, encouraging young people to be mindful of their online habits.

In Conclusion:

While traditional forms of targeted advertising to young people might decline, advertising itself will likely evolve and adapt. The emphasis will likely shift towards more ethical, transparent, and engaging approaches that respect young people’s privacy and autonomy. This could lead to a healthier and more balanced online environment where advertising plays a less intrusive and manipulative role.

Advertising and Ethical? That’s a First

You’re right to be skeptical! The phrase “advertising and ethical” can sound like an oxymoron. Advertising has a long history of manipulative tactics, misleading claims, and playing on consumers’ insecurities.

However, the idea of ethical advertising isn’t entirely new. There’s a growing movement advocating for more responsible and transparent advertising practices. Here’s why the tide might be turning:

Consumer Awareness: Consumers are becoming more aware of how advertising works and are increasingly demanding authenticity and transparency from brands.
Brand Reputation: Companies are realizing that ethical advertising can actually enhance their brand reputation and build trust with consumers.
Regulation and Legislation: Governments are implementing stricter regulations to protect consumers from misleading or harmful advertising, especially aimed at children.
Industry Self-Regulation: Advertising industry bodies are developing codes of ethics and promoting best practices to ensure responsible advertising.

What ethical advertising might look like:

Honesty and Transparency: Providing accurate information about products and services, avoiding misleading claims or exaggerated promises.
Respect for Consumers: Treating consumers with respect and dignity, avoiding manipulative tactics or exploiting vulnerabilities.
Social Responsibility: Promoting social causes, supporting diversity and inclusion, and avoiding harmful stereotypes.
Data Privacy: Being transparent about data collection practices and respecting consumer privacy.
Sustainability: Promoting environmentally friendly products and practices.

Challenges remain:

Balancing profit and ethics: Companies need to find ways to be profitable while adhering to ethical principles.
Measuring effectiveness: It can be challenging to measure the effectiveness of ethical advertising campaigns.
Greenwashing: Some companies may engage in “greenwashing,” making misleading claims about their environmental practices.

Despite these challenges, the trend towards ethical advertising is gaining momentum. With increasing consumer awareness, stricter regulations, and a growing sense of social responsibility, we may see a future where advertising is more aligned with ethical values.

It’s important to remain critical and discerning consumers, but it’s also worth acknowledging the positive changes happening in the advertising industry. Perhaps “advertising and ethical” won’t always be such a surprising combination after all.

Advertising is the Practice of Desensitizing a Society to Lies

That’s a very provocative statement, and one that holds a degree of truth. Advertising, by its nature, often presents an idealized or exaggerated version of reality. It aims to persuade, and sometimes that involves highlighting the positive aspects of a product or service while downplaying any negatives. This can lead to a distorted perception of reality and a desensitization to certain forms of deception.

Here are some ways this can manifest:

Unrealistic portrayals: Advertising often uses idealized imagery and scenarios, creating unrealistic expectations about products, beauty standards, or lifestyles. This can lead to dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and a distorted sense of what’s normal.
Emotional manipulation: Advertising frequently plays on emotions like fear, insecurity, and desire to persuade consumers. This can make people more susceptible to manipulative tactics and less critical of the messages they’re receiving.
Half-truths and omissions: Advertisers may highlight certain features or benefits while downplaying or omitting important information. This can mislead consumers and make it difficult to make informed decisions.
Normalizing consumerism: Advertising constantly bombards us with messages that encourage consumption and equate happiness with material possessions. This can desensitize us to the environmental and social costs of excessive consumerism.

However, it’s important to remember that:

Not all advertising is deceptive: There are examples of advertising that is truthful, informative, and even inspiring.
Consumers are becoming more discerning: People are increasingly aware of advertising tactics and are more critical of the messages they receive.
Regulations and ethical standards: There are regulations and industry standards in place to prevent false advertising and protect consumers.
Advertising can be a force for good: Advertising can be used to promote social causes, raise awareness of important issues, and encourage positive behavior change.

Ultimately, advertising is a powerful tool that can be used for both good and bad. It’s important to be critical consumers, to question the messages we’re exposed to, and to support brands that prioritize ethical and transparent advertising practices. By being aware of the potential for desensitization and manipulation, we can become more resilient to the negative effects of advertising and make more informed choices.

Advertising is Making People (Usually Children) Want Things They Do Not Need. Environmentally, Behaviorally, Morally and Intellectually it is a Worldwide Disaster

You’ve made a powerful and sweeping indictment of advertising! It’s true that advertising often plays a significant role in shaping our desires and consumption habits, and this can have negative consequences on multiple levels, particularly for children. Let’s break down the impact you’ve outlined:

Environmentally:

Fuels Consumerism: Advertising encourages the constant acquisition of new goods, often with little regard for their environmental impact. This contributes to resource depletion, waste generation, and pollution.
Promotes Disposable Culture: Advertising often portrays products as disposable, encouraging frequent upgrades and replacements, further exacerbating environmental problems.
Normalizes unsustainable practices: Advertising can normalize unsustainable practices like excessive driving, air travel, and meat consumption, hindering efforts to promote environmentally conscious behavior.

Behaviorally:

Creates Artificial Needs: Advertising can create a sense of dissatisfaction and a desire for things we don’t truly need, leading to compulsive buying and a focus on material possessions.
Promotes Unhealthy Lifestyles: Advertising often promotes unhealthy foods, sedentary activities, and unrealistic beauty standards, contributing to health problems like obesity, eating disorders, and low self-esteem.
Encourages Materialism: Advertising can foster a materialistic mindset, where happiness and success are equated with material wealth, leading to dissatisfaction and a constant striving for more.

Morally:

Exploits Vulnerabilities: Advertising often targets vulnerable groups, such as children and teenagers, who may be more susceptible to persuasive messages and less able to critically evaluate them.
Perpetuates harmful stereotypes: Advertising can reinforce harmful stereotypes about gender, race, and other social groups, contributing to discrimination and inequality.
Normalizes unethical practices: Advertising can normalize unethical practices like fast fashion, animal exploitation, and environmentally damaging industries.

Intellectually:

Discourages Critical Thinking: Advertising often relies on emotional appeals and superficial messages, discouraging critical thinking and independent judgment.
Promotes Superficiality: Advertising can promote a focus on appearances and superficial values, neglecting deeper intellectual and emotional development.
Distracts from meaningful pursuits: The constant bombardment of advertising messages can distract from more meaningful pursuits like education, creativity, and social connection.

It’s Not All Doom and Gloom

While your concerns are valid, it’s important to remember that:

Advertising can be a force for good: Advertising can be used to promote social causes, raise awareness of important issues, and encourage positive behavior change.
Consumers are becoming more aware: People are increasingly aware of advertising tactics and are more critical of the messages they receive.
Regulations and ethical standards: There are regulations and industry standards in place to prevent false advertising and protect consumers.

Ultimately, advertising is a powerful tool that can be used for both good and bad. It’s crucial to be critical consumers, to question the messages we’re exposed to, and to support brands that prioritize ethical and transparent advertising practices. By fostering media literacy and critical thinking skills, we can mitigate the negative impacts of advertising and create a more conscious and responsible consumer culture.

Advertising Has Taught Information Media to Lie

That’s a very interesting and complex assertion. While it might be an overstatement to say advertising taught information media to lie, there’s certainly a strong case to be made for how advertising has influenced media practices and contributed to a blurring of lines between information and persuasion.

Here are some ways advertising has impacted information media:

The rise of native advertising: Native advertising is a form of advertising that mimics the form and function of the surrounding editorial content.¹ This can make it difficult for audiences to distinguish between objective information and paid promotion, blurring the lines between advertising and journalism.²
Pressure to generate revenue: Media organizations are increasingly reliant on advertising revenue, which can create pressure to prioritize content that attracts advertisers, even if it’s not the most informative or important. This can lead to a focus on sensationalism, clickbait, and superficial stories.
The blurring of editorial and commercial interests: As media organizations become more commercially driven, there’s a risk that editorial decisions may be influenced by commercial interests. This can compromise journalistic integrity and lead to biased or incomplete reporting.³
The rise of influencer marketing: Influencer marketing involves paying individuals with large social media followings to promote products or services.⁴ This can blur the lines between authentic recommendations and paid endorsements, making it difficult for audiences to assess the objectivity of the information they’re receiving.⁵

However, it’s important to note that:

Journalistic ethics still hold strong: Many journalists and media organizations are committed to upholding ethical standards and providing accurate and unbiased information.⁶
Audiences are becoming more discerning: People are increasingly aware of the influence of advertising and are more critical of the information they consume.
Independent media and alternative funding models: The rise of independent media and alternative funding models, such as subscriptions and donations, is helping to reduce reliance on advertising revenue and promote journalistic independence.

Ultimately, the relationship between advertising and information media is complex and multifaceted. While advertising has undoubtedly influenced media practices and contributed to some concerning trends, it’s important to recognize the resilience of journalistic ethics and the growing awareness of audiences.

By supporting ethical journalism, demanding transparency from media organizations, and critically evaluating the information we consume, we can help to ensure that advertising doesn’t undermine the integrity of information media.

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