In an effort to curb the growing influence of social media on young minds, Australia has recently taken bold steps by passing a law that bans children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms. This legislation, passed by the Australian Senate on November 29 with a vote of 34-19, comes after the House of Representatives approved the bill by a significant margin just a day earlier. The new law holds social media companies accountable for preventing children under 16 from creating accounts, imposing hefty fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (approximately Rs 275 crore) for non-compliance. However, the law exempts messaging apps, online gaming platforms, and services related to health and education. Importantly, there are no exceptions for children under 16 even with parental consent.
This move by Australia has sparked global interest, prompting a look at how other countries regulate children’s access to social media. In India, while there are no explicit legal restrictions specifically addressing children’s use of social media, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act of 2023 introduces a stricter requirement for processing children’s data. This law mandates that platforms obtain “verifiable parental consent” for children under 18 before processing their personal information, ensuring better protection against online risks.
In the United States, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), enacted in 1998, requires parental consent for websites to collect personal data from children under the age of 13. This led many companies to block access for this age group, though it inadvertently fueled widespread age fraud. The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) of 2000 aimed to restrict access to inappropriate content in schools and libraries but was criticized for not addressing online content accessed outside these institutions.
The UK, while not planning an outright ban like Australia, has taken steps to address children’s safety online. Digital minister Peter Kyle has stated that all options are on the table and has launched a study to explore the effects of smartphone and social media usage on children. The UK has also enacted the Online Safety Act, which is set to impose tougher regulations on social media platforms, including age restrictions and increased transparency.
In the European Union, parental consent is required for the processing of personal data of children under 16, though individual member states can lower the age limit to 13. Norway has recently proposed raising the age at which children can consent to social media use from 13 to 15, with the possibility for parents to sign off on their behalf. The Norwegian government is also working on legislation to set a minimum legal age for social media use.
As the global debate over children’s social media access continues, these varied approaches reflect growing concerns about online safety and the impact of digital platforms on young users.
