When does Australia's social media ban for under-16s start?

Australia's social media ban for users under 16 is set to begin on December 10.

How is Snapchat verifying ages in Australia?

Snapchat is using ConnectID, linked to Australian banks, and k-ID software for age verification.

Which countries are considering similar social media bans for teens?

Malaysia, New Zealand, and Indonesia are among the countries exploring similar youth social media restrictions.

Home / Technology / Snapchat Age Checks: Australia Leads Digital World

Snapchat Age Checks: Australia Leads Digital World

24 Nov

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Summary

Australia enforces world-first social media ban for under-16s.
Snapchat uses bank-linked ConnectID for age verification.
Other nations like Malaysia and NZ consider similar bans.

Snapchat Age Checks: Australia Leads Digital World

Australia is pioneering a strict social media ban for users under 16, with the law scheduled to take effect on December 10. Snapchat has begun prompting its Australian child and teen users to verify their ages, employing methods that connect to their bank accounts through the ConnectID application. This initiative aims to comply with the new regulation, which imposes substantial fines on platforms for non-compliance, threatening up to 49.5 million Australian dollars.

While Snapchat is implementing these age verification measures, the company has expressed disagreement with its inclusion in the ban, arguing its platform is primarily a visual messaging app. Despite these concerns, Australian authorities are firm on the new rules, though some platforms like Discord and WhatsApp have secured exceptions. This move by Australia is attracting international attention, with several countries, including Malaysia, New Zealand, and Indonesia, contemplating similar legislation to safeguard young people online.