Australia closer to social media ban for kids after tech trial

Australia has moved closer to bringing in a social media ban for all its under-16s, after a government trial determined that age checks are feasible.

A pilot, called the 'Age Assurance Technology Trial', showed that platforms can verify user age with existing methods. The exercise was government-backed and took place this month.

The tech trial deployed face scans, using AI, to assess the age of users, along with other methods of 'behavioural inference' as well as parental controls. It also also explored how minors may try to bypass the checks.

More than 50 companies took part in the Australian trial, with both Apple and Google systems supporting it.

If the ban is successfully brought in, as intended by the end of 2025, the Australian authorities threaten A$50 million fines to platforms that don't comply.

Other countries and regulatory jurisdictions are said to be watching the Australian ban before reassessing their own child-safety rules.