Google says Australia’s new law banning teens under 16 from social media will be difficult to enforce.
Introduction
Australia has enacted a new law that will keep children under the age of 16 off social media Google has criticized this law, stating that it will be very difficult to enforce and will not make children safe This news was published on October 13, 2025, but we will provide all the details in Hindi in this article We will discuss the background of the law, Google’s opinion, the government’s response, and the implications Social media usage is increasing in Australia Many children use it, but it negatively impacts mental health The government recognized this problem In November 2024, Parliament passed the Online Safety Amendment This law restricts people under the age of 16 from social media Australia is the first country to take this step. The law will come into effect in December 2025. Companies must comply by December 10, 2025.
Key details of the law
What does the law say? Children under the age of 16 will not be able to create social media accounts on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X, and Instagram, and YouTube is also included YouTube was previously exempt, but the law was added in July 2025. How will it be implemented? Companies will be required to verify age, but they will not be required to verify the age of every user They will use AI and behavioral data to estimate age If a child creates an account, it will be deactivated Non-compliance will result in fines of up to A$50 million The e-Safety Commissioner will monitor the situation, but will request reports from the platforms. The law mentions digital IDs, and some suggest this could be mandatory for everyone But the government says it’s optional.
Google’s Opinion and Argument
Google presented its views at a parliamentary hearing held in Sydney YouTube Senior Manager Rachel Lord said the law has good intentions but will create unintended consequences She says, “Not only will the law be extremely difficult to enforce, but it also won’t fulfill its promise of making children safe online But why is Google saying this? First, enforcement is difficult Children can use VPNs and create fake accounts Second, it won’t make children safe, and children will end up on unregulated sites with no moderation Like the porn ban in the UK, it failed. Google says YouTube isn’t social media. It’s a video-sharing platform Children learn there, watching sports, music, and educational content If children use it in logout mode, they won’t get safety features like parental controls, no autoplay, and break reminders.”
Government Response
The Australian government disagrees with Google’s criticism Communications Minister Anika Wells said the companies will be met, but the law will be enforced The Labor Party says they won’t be intimidated by “sharks like Google. YouTube will be included, and the e-Safety Commissioner has commented for the first time They say everything is vague, but they will find a way to enforce it The government acknowledges the challenges But children’s safety comes first Prime Minister Albanese said this is a world-first law Other countries are looking into it The government insists that platforms take responsible action
Steph Lovett, Google’s government affairs director, said that her American colleagues are aware of the issue but would not disclose any lobbying efforts with the Trump administration Albanese is scheduled to meet with Trump.
Discussing the experts’ opinions:
Many experts support the law They say social media stresses children and increases cyberbullying However, some experts express concerns They say enforcement will impact privacy Digital IDs will increase surveillance One study suggests the law will impact children’s social development They say they will be unable to connect with friends Digital rights groups say anonymous access will end Facial scans and behavioral profiling will be necessary What about other countries? Spain and France have age restrictions, but not as strict The US has COPPA, but only for those over 13 It also impacts teens, which is what many say Social media is their life; they gather information and make friends A ban will make them feel isolated Some will use VPNs, but poor children won’t be able to.
Impact on Tech Companies
What did tech companies like Meta, Snap, and TikTok say? They didn’t attend the hearing, but they met with the minister They also worry about enforcement Google said they might file a legal challenge, but didn’t confirm it Companies will invest in AI tools, but costs will increase Users may decline, along with challenges and enforcement issues, with enforcement being the main challenge How will children be stopped? They can change countries with VPNs and register with phone numbers Google says
this is impossible, so what will happen with digital IDs? Some say it will become mandatory for everyone Tourists will also be affected People on X say it will take away freedom There’s a risk of unregulated sites, where children will go there without rules.No moderation and comparison with other countries Australia’s law is unique in the world Porn ban in UK failed they could not enforce ID checks France has a 15 year old age limit but it is not enforced properly
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