Australia Advances Social Media Ban For Under-16s: Lessons For Nigeria on Digital Safety
Australian lawmakers have taken a significant step towards banning social media use for children under 16, as the lower house of parliament passed the proposed legislation on November 27. The bill, now headed to the Senate for further debate, would require platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat to implement measures preventing young teens from creating accounts. Companies failing to comply could face fines of up to AU$50 million (US$32.5 million).
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a staunch advocate of the ban, described social media as a “dangerous platform” that fuels peer pressure, anxiety, and online predation. He emphasized the need to steer young people away from excessive screen time toward physical activities like sports and outdoor play. Labelled one of the world’s strictest social media regulations, the ban has raised questions about its feasibility, as experts note that children can easily bypass age restrictions.
While the legislation has yet to outline specific enforcement mechanisms, regulators are expected to finalize these within the next year. Some platforms, such as WhatsApp and YouTube, are likely to seek exemptions, while LinkedIn claims its platform is not of interest to users under 16.
Criticism of the proposal has also emerged. Social media expert Susan Grantham called it a “knee-jerk reaction,” warning that such restrictions might isolate young people who rely on online communities for support. Others argue that a more effective solution would be comprehensive digital literacy education, like Finland’s approach, which teaches children to navigate online spaces responsibly.
The move has garnered international attention, with countries like Spain and the United States considering similar measures. China already enforces strict limitations on minors’ social media use, capping their access to platforms like Douyin (China’s version of TikTok) at just 40 minutes daily.
Implications For Nigeria
Australia’s bold step highlights the global concern over the impact of social media on young people and offers lessons for Nigeria, where digital platforms are widely used by teens. In Nigeria, issues like cyberbullying, online scams, and exposure to harmful content are increasingly prevalent among minors.
Although a total ban might be challenging to implement, Nigeria could adopt a hybrid approach by introducing stricter content regulation and fostering digital literacy. This could include partnerships between the government, educational institutions, and tech companies to teach young Nigerians safe online habits while ensuring parental controls are easily accessible and effective.
The Australian model also underscores the importance of accountability for social media platforms, a principle that could inform Nigeria’s own policies on protecting minors in the digital age. As Nigeria navigates its unique challenges in digital safety, Australia’s legislation serves as both a cautionary tale and a potential roadmap.
