Australia’s federal government has unveiled a draft law to prohibit children under the age of sixteen from accessing major social media platforms without verified parental consent, a move that could mark a significant inflection point in global digital governance.

The proposed legislation, put forward by the Home Affairs and Communications ministries, would require platforms to implement robust age-verification systems and impose substantial fines for non-compliance, signaling Canberra’s intent to protect child wellbeing amid rising concerns about online harms.

This initiative comes as governments in Europe and North America increasingly scrutinise the impact of unregulated social media on young people.

Under the draft framework, technology firms operating in Australia would have to demonstrate that users are at least sixteen before granting access to large-scale social networks and video sharing services.

Providers would also face obligations to remove content that falls within defined categories of risk for minors.

The proposed measures are designed to curb exposure to harmful material, including content linked to self-harm, violence, and exploitation, while prompting platforms to invest in age-verification tools and safer product design.

The Australian government’s plan builds on earlier regulatory efforts targeting digital platforms and reflects a broader commitment to safeguarding children’s mental health in a rapidly evolving online environment.

Proponents of the draft law argue that existing voluntary protections by social media companies are insufficient and that statutory requirements are needed to ensure consistent standards.

Australian lawmakers cited research suggesting a correlation between early and unsupervised social media use and negative outcomes for young people, including anxiety and sleep disruption.

Industry representatives, while expressing support for enhanced safety measures, have raised concerns about privacy implications and the technical feasibility of accurate age verification at scale.

International observers are watching closely, as Australia’s approach could influence regulatory discussions elsewhere.

In the United Kingdom and European Union, policymakers are advancing their own proposals focused on content moderation and child safety online, and the Australian draft could serve as both a blueprint and a test case.

Technology firms with global user bases may find themselves needing to adapt compliance infrastructure not only for Australia but for markets contemplating parallel reforms.

As formal consultations begin, stakeholders from civil society, consumer advocacy groups, and the tech sector are preparing submissions ahead of parliamentary review.

The coming months are expected to see robust debate over the balance between child protection, digital rights, and the operational demands placed on digital platforms, with Australia’s policy emerging as a potentially influential model for future legislation beyond its borders.