MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Technology giant Meta has begun notifying thousands of young Australians about a new law that will soon restrict their access to Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Starting December 10, kids under 16 will no longer be able to create accounts on these platforms.
The Australian government, which announced this decision two weeks ago, is pushing for platforms to take steps to keep children under 16 off their sites. This marks an important milestone in online safety for young users.
Meta is the first big tech company to explain its plan to comply with the regulations. They have reached out to thousands of young users through SMS and email, giving them a two-week warning to download their digital memories before losing access. Meta estimates around 350,000 Australians aged 13 to 15 use Instagram and about 150,000 use Facebook.
In addition to saving photos and contacts, young users can update their information so Meta can assist them when they turn 16. If a user aged 16 or older receives a notification in error, they can verify their age by providing identification or a video selfie.
Terry Flew, co-director of Sydney University’s Center for AI, Trust and Governance, pointed out that technologies like facial recognition can sometimes fail. These systems have a reported failure rate of at least 5%. In a chat with the Australian Broadcasting Corp, he emphasized that without a government-mandated ID system, tech companies often rely on less reliable methods.
The Australian government has also made it clear that demanding proof of age from all users may not be a practical solution. They believe platforms already hold enough data to identify adult users.
Failing to comply with these new rules could lead to hefty fines, reaching up to 50 million Australian dollars (around 32 million USD) for platforms that do not take adequate measures.
Meta’s vice president for safety, Antigone Davis, suggested that app stores, like the Apple App Store and Google Play, should collect age information at sign-up to make age verification more efficient. She advocates for a system that’s standard, accurate, and respects user privacy.
Dany Elachi, founder of the Heaps Up Alliance, a parents’ group advocating for this age restriction, encourages parents to help their children rethink how they spend the time usually devoted to social media. He has also expressed concerns about the government’s delayed announcement of which platforms would be affected.
“The idea is that children under 16 are better off engaging in the real world,” Elachi said. While he acknowledges not all aspects of the law are perfect, he supports the core message of prioritizing kids’ safety.
Overall, this initiative reflects a broader trend towards placing boundaries on children’s online activity. As social media continues to evolve, understanding its impact on younger users will be crucial.
For more on this topic, you can check out the Australian government report on new online safety measures, which offers deeper insights into their strategy and objectives.
Source link
Facebook, young Australians, social media, account holders, Meta, Australian government, MELBOURNE, Australia, Australian Broadcasting Corp
