Australia’s Communications Minister Anika Wells has told the BBC she is not intimidated by technology companies who disagree with the country’s “world-leading” social media ban and is open to Washington considering it.
From December 10, ten social media firms including Snapchat, Meta, TikTok and YouTube will have to take “appropriate steps” to prevent children under 16 from having accounts on their platforms, according to the government.
“We stand firmly on the side of parents, not on platforms,” Wells said.
Companies including Meta have said they agree that more is needed to keep young people safe online, but they don’t think a ban is the answer, with some experts raising similar concerns.
Speaking to the BBC in Brisbane, Wells said tech companies have plenty of time – 15 to 20 years – to improve their practices as research indicates their platforms cause harm.
“I’m not afraid of big tech because I understand the moral imperative of what we’re doing,” she said. She said talking to parents whose children have struggled online has kept her strong.
He said the policy is the envy of many countries around the world, releasing a list of leaders whom he said have approached his government for advice on emulating it.
“We’re happy to be the first, we’re proud to be the first, and we’re ready to help any other jurisdictions that want to do these things.”
However, US President Donald Trump has previously said that he will stand up against any country that attacks US tech companies. Australia’s e-Security Commissioner – charged with overseeing the social media ban – has also been called to testify before the US Congress.
Wells said the White House and Congress have the right to consider and investigate Australia’s actions, but he and his officials will not be deterred.
“We are very concerned about doing our duty to Australians and Australian taxpayers who pay us to look after good public policy.”
He also said tech companies are right to be concerned about this law in Australia – they fear it could be the first of many countries to restrict social media for teens.
“If you don’t have a safe operating model and if people are losing their lives as a result of your operating model, I think you can expect action from public policy makers.”
Australia’s law, while popular, is not without criticism. Some experts have argued that other measures – such as more restrictions, more parental controls and more robust digital education – would work better.
Although the law is considered a world first in its scope, some other jurisdictions have tried to implement similar policies with less success and critics have concerns about enforcement here as well. For example, several states in the US have tried to enact similar laws but have been pushed back by the courts. In Australia, two teenagers launched a High Court challenge last week, arguing that the ban disregards children’s rights.
However, one of the biggest criticisms of the ban is its exclusion of online gaming, which parents and online safety researchers say also causes significant harm. The Roblox platform is considered a concern by many.
“The Security e-Commissioner certainly has its eyes on Roblox and you may have seen the steps Roblox has had to take to make its platform safer in recent weeks as well,” Wells said.
The government will review the ban over the next two years. “It’s not a cure, it’s a treatment plan, and treatment plans will always evolve as we adapt and address the damage and see what works and what doesn’t,” Wells said.
He has repeatedly sought to manage expectations and said that the implementation of this policy may be messy, but the social change will ultimately be worthwhile.
“Just as people under the age of 18 are not allowed to drink alcohol in Australia, there will still be people under the age of 18 who drink alcohol today… they may also be supported by their parents in doing so.
“That still doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have a law that prevents people under 18 from drinking alcohol in Australia because the public health evidence tells us that’s a good and appropriate thing to do.”
Wells herself has three young children, and told the BBC that screen-time and social media use is a challenge at home as well – with the burden largely falling on her husband given the demands of travel during his job.
“So in a joking way, being the lawmaker for this social media ban is my own contribution to helping with these types of fights,” he said, adding that many parents have thanked him for his work on the policy.
“You can’t promote an algorithm and it’s just giving parents another weapon in their arsenal.”
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