Australia is preparing to implement a controversial social media ban for children under 16, set to take effect in December 2025, aiming to enhance youth online safety.

The legislation requires platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram to use AI and behavioral data to infer users' ages, rather than conducting direct verification, which raises concerns about enforcement and privacy.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the law, which includes hefty fines for violations, but industry experts question its practicality and effectiveness.

The law's vague enforcement measures and technical challenges have led to skepticism about whether it will genuinely improve online safety or simply serve as a symbolic gesture.

The legislation may spur innovation in privacy-preserving verification technologies, such as zero-knowledge proofs and device-based attestations, with startups developing specialized compliance tools.

Industry objections highlight issues like false positives, privacy violations from increased data collection, and the risk of pushing teens toward less regulated online spaces, potentially increasing exposure to harm.

Parents are encouraged to review privacy settings and discuss online safety with their children, while schools should promote media literacy and coping strategies to complement regulatory efforts.

The eSafety Commissioner has suggested adding platforms like Discord and Roblox to the ban, but ongoing platform feature changes mean these decisions are still under review, with exemptions planned for messaging and gaming apps.

Google and other tech firms are actively engaging with policymakers, with Google lobbying in Washington, D.C., to raise concerns about enforcement and the law's practicality, especially as Australian officials prepare for upcoming discussions.

Reactions to the law are mixed; child safety advocates support stricter rules, while platforms like TikTok and Meta question enforcement feasibility and emphasize the need for better safety tools and parental controls.

YouTube, owned by Google, was added to the legislation after initially being exempted, due to its popularity among educators and the debate over whether it qualifies as a social media platform.

The proposed ban could harm young creators and impact the economy, which benefited from Australian content creators contributing nearly $970 million to GDP and supporting over 16,000 jobs in 2024.