Social ‘me-diation’: Australia steps up age-verification game amidst safety concerns
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In an age where digital footprints are as common as the shoes we wear, the Australian government is exploring new frontiers in online safety and age verification.
The latest buzz? A potential trial that could see social media giants participating in age-assurance technology assessments.
This initiative aims to prevent teenagers from accessing inappropriate content, including social media platforms and pornography.
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat may be invited to join the Australian government’s trial of age-verification technology to prevent teenagers from accessing social media and adult content.
During a recent Social Media and Australian Society inquiry, communications department officials admitted they lack the authority to force these tech behemoths into the trial. Instead, they're banking on voluntary cooperation.
The heart of the matter lies in whether Australians are comfortable with the idea of showing their IDs to social networks to prove their age.
It's a delicate balance between safeguarding the young and preserving privacy for all.
The inquiry, which has been ongoing since May, is tackling some weighty issues: Meta's news deal reversals, the prevalence of harmful and illegal content online, the impact of social media on mental health, and, of course, the use of age assurance technology.
Bridget Gannon, the Acting First Assistant Secretary for Online Safety, Media, and Platforms at the communications department, shared that the trial is still in the planning phase.
However, a working group has been established, and preliminary talks with social media companies, including Meta, are underway.
She said an independent agency will be tasked with testing the technology's effectiveness in keeping teens away from adult content and potentially restricting their access to social media.
‘We’re doing it in the context of children’s access to pornography where under the age of 18 it’s pretty well agreed you shouldn’t be looking at pornography,’ Ms Gannon stated.
‘But we will also be looking at younger ages for the work that the government has asked us to do on children’s access to social media.’
Ms Gannon mentioned that although the department had reached out to social networks regarding their involvement in the trial, they do not have the authority to mandate their participation.
‘We’re relying on their cooperation, and it would be in their interest to cooperate because it will go to enforcement,’ she said.
Gannon noted that the trial would evaluate Australians’ acceptance of various forms of age restrictions.
She highlighted the government's concern that certain verification systems might necessitate ‘handing over personal data to whoever’s doing the verification’, potentially posing security and privacy risks.
Previous hearings revealed a divide in opinion among tech industry leaders.
Snapchat's APAC Public Policy Head, Henry Turnbull, asserted that using technology to restrict teenagers under 16 from social media was ‘not something that I support’.
Meanwhile, Meta's Global Safety Head, Antigone Davis, suggested that age restrictions might be more effectively managed by app stores and operating systems, cautioning that teens might try to bypass such measures.
This initiative is part of a broader commitment by the Labor government, which allocated $6.5 million in its May budget for the age-assurance technology trial.
This is in conjunction with efforts to curb access to pornography and violent content, overseen by the eSafety Commissioner.
On the political front, Opposition leader Peter Dutton last month proposed banning social media access for children under 16 if he secures victory in the next federal election.
As the inquiry marches towards its November deadline for recommendations, the conversation around online safety is heating up.
As the Australian government explores the feasibility of implementing age-verification technology on social media platforms, the debate over safeguarding young users from potential harm intensifies.
Critics argue that while these platforms heavily rely on younger demographics for engagement and revenue, they often fail to adequately protect them from online risks.
This ongoing discourse underscores the delicate balance between digital access and safety, raising significant questions about tech companies' responsibilities toward their youngest users.
How do you feel about the potential for age verification on social media? Do the benefits of protecting younger users outweigh the privacy trade-offs? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below.
The latest buzz? A potential trial that could see social media giants participating in age-assurance technology assessments.
This initiative aims to prevent teenagers from accessing inappropriate content, including social media platforms and pornography.
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat may be invited to join the Australian government’s trial of age-verification technology to prevent teenagers from accessing social media and adult content.
During a recent Social Media and Australian Society inquiry, communications department officials admitted they lack the authority to force these tech behemoths into the trial. Instead, they're banking on voluntary cooperation.
The Australian government launched a trial to assess Australians' comfort with sharing ID documents for age verification on social networks, addressing privacy concerns. Credit: Shutterstock
The heart of the matter lies in whether Australians are comfortable with the idea of showing their IDs to social networks to prove their age.
It's a delicate balance between safeguarding the young and preserving privacy for all.
The inquiry, which has been ongoing since May, is tackling some weighty issues: Meta's news deal reversals, the prevalence of harmful and illegal content online, the impact of social media on mental health, and, of course, the use of age assurance technology.
Bridget Gannon, the Acting First Assistant Secretary for Online Safety, Media, and Platforms at the communications department, shared that the trial is still in the planning phase.
However, a working group has been established, and preliminary talks with social media companies, including Meta, are underway.
She said an independent agency will be tasked with testing the technology's effectiveness in keeping teens away from adult content and potentially restricting their access to social media.
‘We’re doing it in the context of children’s access to pornography where under the age of 18 it’s pretty well agreed you shouldn’t be looking at pornography,’ Ms Gannon stated.
‘But we will also be looking at younger ages for the work that the government has asked us to do on children’s access to social media.’
Ms Gannon mentioned that although the department had reached out to social networks regarding their involvement in the trial, they do not have the authority to mandate their participation.
‘We’re relying on their cooperation, and it would be in their interest to cooperate because it will go to enforcement,’ she said.
Gannon noted that the trial would evaluate Australians’ acceptance of various forms of age restrictions.
She highlighted the government's concern that certain verification systems might necessitate ‘handing over personal data to whoever’s doing the verification’, potentially posing security and privacy risks.
Previous hearings revealed a divide in opinion among tech industry leaders.
Snapchat's APAC Public Policy Head, Henry Turnbull, asserted that using technology to restrict teenagers under 16 from social media was ‘not something that I support’.
Meanwhile, Meta's Global Safety Head, Antigone Davis, suggested that age restrictions might be more effectively managed by app stores and operating systems, cautioning that teens might try to bypass such measures.
This initiative is part of a broader commitment by the Labor government, which allocated $6.5 million in its May budget for the age-assurance technology trial.
This is in conjunction with efforts to curb access to pornography and violent content, overseen by the eSafety Commissioner.
On the political front, Opposition leader Peter Dutton last month proposed banning social media access for children under 16 if he secures victory in the next federal election.
As the inquiry marches towards its November deadline for recommendations, the conversation around online safety is heating up.
As the Australian government explores the feasibility of implementing age-verification technology on social media platforms, the debate over safeguarding young users from potential harm intensifies.
Critics argue that while these platforms heavily rely on younger demographics for engagement and revenue, they often fail to adequately protect them from online risks.
This ongoing discourse underscores the delicate balance between digital access and safety, raising significant questions about tech companies' responsibilities toward their youngest users.
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