Sawt Falasteen - Australian regulator probes Facebook, YouTube over teen social media ban

Australia in December banned users under 16 from the world's largest social media platforms, citing the need to protect them from "predatory algorithms" and online bullying.

There were "significant concerns" that Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube may have breached the ban, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said.

"While social media platforms have taken some initial action, I am concerned through our compliance monitoring that some may not be doing enough to comply with Australian law."

Possible breaches included providing "insufficient measures to prevent new under 16 accounts being created".

"As a result, we are now moving into an enforcement stance," said Inman Grant.

Inman Grant said "powerful" tech interests were always expected to push back against the laws, likening their efforts to "Big Tobacco".

"This reform is unwinding 20 years of entrenched social media practices," said Inman Grant.

"Durable, generational change takes time -- but these platforms have the capability to comply today and we certainly expect companies operating in Australia to comply with our safety laws."

A growing body of research suggests too much time online is taking a toll on teen wellbeing.

Australia's ban has been widely hailed as a godsend for parents sick of seeing children glued to their phones.

Malaysia, France, New Zealand and Indonesia are among the nations now eyeing similar measures.

Social media companies bear the sole responsibility for checking Australia-based users are 16 or older.

Some platforms have said they would use AI tools to estimate ages based on photos, while young users could also choose to prove their age by uploading government ID.

- 'Legally erroneous' -

While most tech companies have pledged to abide by Australian laws, they have warned that the heavy-handed move could simply push teens to darker, less-regulated corners of the internet.

Initial impacts of the legislation "suggest it is not meeting its objectives of increasing the safety and well-being of young Australians", Meta argued in January.

Meta said parents and experts were worried about the ban isolating young people from online communities.

Online discussion site Reddit has filed a legal challenge against Australia's ban, which it described as "legally erroneous".

The US-based company said there were serious privacy concerns associated with platforms verifying age, with the collection of personal data creating a risk of leaks or hacks.

Reddit's challenge is yet to be heard in Australia's High Court.

B.Mahmoud--SF-PST