Australia announced on Tuesday that social media companies will not be required to verify the ages of all users under its ban on under-16s using the platforms. However, platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube are expected to take \u201creasonable steps\u201d to prevent children from accessing their apps. While Australia has been at the forefront of global efforts to curb online harm, the current legislation provides few details on how the ban will be enforced, raising concerns among experts that it could end up being largely symbolic. Social media companies have also criticized the laws as \u201cvague,\u201d \u201cproblematic,\u201d and \u201crushed.\u201d Communications Minister Anika Wells said that platforms would need to take \u201creasonable steps\u201d to detect and deactivate underage users. \u201cWe cannot control the ocean, but we can police the sharks. Today, we\u2019re showing the world how this can be done,\u201d she said. \u201cThere is no excuse for social media platforms to fail in meeting their obligations under the new laws.\u201d Tuesday\u2019s long-awaited regulatory guidelines state that social media companies will need to adopt a \u201cmultilayered\u201d approach to age verification. However, the head of Australia\u2019s online regulator, the eSafety Commission, acknowledged that there is \u201cno one-size-fits-all solution\u201d for enforcing the world-first legislation. \u201cBy taking a layered or \u2018waterfall\u2019 approach, platforms can manage risks associated with any errors in age estimation,\u201d Inman Grant said. \u201cPlatforms won\u2019t have to verify the age of every Australian user to comply.\u201d The eSafety Commission will be able to fine social media companies up to Aus$49.5 million for failing to comply with the rules. An independent study ordered by the Australian government found this month that age checking can be done “privately, efficiently and effectively”, though it admitted no single solution would fit all contexts. The regulator has also introduced a number of rules taking effect in Australia in the coming months to protect children from “lawful but awful” content, including online pornography and AI chatbots capable of sexually explicit conversations. This week, gaming giant Roblox Corp agreed to curb the risk of adults grooming children on its platform in Australia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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