Australia could use a range of technologies to implement its social media ban for under-16s, but all have risks or shortcomings, a report has found.
The government says its ban, which comes into effect in December, is designed to limit the harmful impacts of social media. The policy has been touted as a world-first and is being watched closely by leaders globally.
Under the new laws, platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent Australian children from creating accounts on their sites and deactivate existing ones.
Though the move is popular with many parents, experts have raised concerns over data privacy and the accuracy of age verification technology.
The federal government commissioned the UK-based Age Check Certification Scheme to test ways Australia could enforce the ban, and its final report was published on Sunday.
It looked at a variety of methods, including formal verification using government documents, parental approval, or technologies to determine age based on facial structure, gestures, or behaviors. However, the report noted, all were technically possible.
While identity document verification was cited as the most accurate method, the report expressed concerns that platforms might store this data longer than necessary or share it with regulators, jeopardizing user privacy. Australia has recently experienced a series of high-profile data breaches, amplifying these concerns.
Facial assessment technology was found to be 92% accurate for individuals aged 18 or over, but there exists a buffer zone of about two to three years around the age of 16, resulting in potential inaccuracies. These issues could lead to children being allowed access when they shouldn't or vice versa.
The report also raised concerns regarding the privacy and effectiveness of parental approval methods.
It recommended a layered approach combining different verification methods for enhanced security, acknowledging the continual efforts by technology providers to counteract potential circumventions.
Communications Minister Anika Wells emphasized that no single solution suffices, acknowledging that age checks could be private, efficient, and effective. She urged tech giants to leverage their AI capabilities to ensure children's safety online.
The upcoming ban permits fines of up to A$50 million for companies failing to take appropriate measures to block under-16s. Affected platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube.
Polling indicates strong support among Australian adults for the ban, though some mental health advocates warn that such measures might isolate children or drive them to less regulated parts of the internet. Critics argue for enforcing better content moderation rather than a blanket social media prohibition.
