Google Warns Australia’s Teen Social Media Ban Is Hard to Enforce
Google says Australia’s new law banning children under 16 from social media will be very hard to enforce. The company believes the idea is good, but the plan is difficult to carry out without direct age checks.
The law, starting in December 2025, requires social media companies to remove underage users. Platforms such as Google, Meta, and TikTok must rely on AI tools to guess users’ ages. They cannot ask for ID or personal data.
Rachel Lord, YouTube’s head of government affairs, told lawmakers that enforcing this rule is a major challenge. She said YouTube is not a typical social media app, as most people use it to learn or be entertained, not to network.
Critics warn the law could backfire. AI systems might block adults by mistake or miss many teens who find ways around the rules. Google says parental controls and safety tools work better than full bans.
Australia’s government calls the ban a “world-first step” to protect young people online. Tech firms have until December 10, 2025, to follow the law. Many experts say this will test both governments and companies.
