Social media firms urge caution on early Australia under-16 ban data
Local heads of YouTube owner Google, Facebook and Instagram owner Meta, Snapchat and TikTok fronted a Senate inquiry as lawmakers pressed them on multiple studies, including from Australia's internet regulator, showing some 80% of minors were still on social media months after the ban took effect in December.
Major social media companies urged the Australian government to exercise caution when interpreting early data on the impact of a ban on under-16 users, as lawmakers consider stricter penalties for non-compliance. Representatives from Google, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok appeared before a Senate inquiry to discuss multiple studies showing roughly 80% of minors continued to use social media platforms after the ban was implemented in December.
While the eSafety Commissioner is examining potential legal action against companies they accuse of slow-walking compliance, the inquiry is also reviewing proposed amendments that would double maximum penalties and grant the regulator greater investigative powers. YouTube's head of government relations emphasized that the available data is still preliminary, with the government's last compliance figures dating back to March.
Meta's head of public policy noted that age verification technologies are still developing and that the figures may not accurately reflect underage users who may have accessed platforms without official accounts.
Written by urgent.news from The Indian Express's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Social media firms urge caution on early Australia under-16 ban data indianexpress.com
