The Daily Aus Will age verification work?
Sep 1, 2025
Australia is set to ban social media for under-16s, raising significant questions about age verification. The discussion highlights challenges with privacy and accuracy in verification technology. Recent changes, like kids losing access to YouTube, have sparked concerns over mental health impacts. The podcast also explores how VPNs could undermine these restrictions and suggests geolocation as a potential solution. As the deadline approaches, the urgency and implications of these measures are critically examined.
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Australia's World-First Under‑16 Social Ban
- Australia will ban under-16s from social media starting 10 December, placing enforcement responsibility on platforms.
- The law uses a "reasonable steps" test and fines up to about $50 million for noncompliance.
Parents Drove The Campaign
- The social media ban campaign originated with concerned parents citing exposure to harmful content.
- YouTube briefly had an exemption that was later overturned and is now facing legal challenge.
Platforms, Not Kids, Must Enforce It
- The government assigns the enforcement burden to social media companies rather than minors or parents.
- Platforms face large fines if they fail to take "reasonable steps" to prevent under‑16 account creation.