Children could be blocked from social media as well as porn sites in Australian trial of age check technology
The Australian government has broadened a $6.5 million age‑assurance pilot to evaluate technology that could stop children from accessing both pornographic content and major social‑media platforms. Officials are consulting Meta and other firms, while opposition politicians push for mandatory compli…
The Australian government announced on Tuesday that its $6.5 million age‑assurance pilot will now test whether technology can reliably block children from entering not only pornographic websites but also mainstream social‑media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. The move follows pressure from News Corp, opposition parties and child‑safety advocates who argue that under‑16s should be barred from social media while the original budget‑approved trial focused solely on adult content.
What the expanded trial aims to achieve
Initially launched in the May 2024 federal budget, the pilot was designed to evaluate a range of digital tools that could verify a user’s age and prevent anyone under 18 from reaching porn sites. The new scope widens the age threshold and the content categories under scrutiny. While the exact age cut‑off for social‑media restriction has not been fixed, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications says the trial will assess how accurately different systems can identify users younger than 16, 17 or 18.
Bridget Gannon, the acting secretary for online safety, told the joint select committee on social media and Australian society that the government will “consult with experts, with children, with parents” to gauge concerns and expectations. An independent expert will be hired to audit each technology’s performance, including its resistance to circumvention methods such as virtual private networks (VPNs) and proxy servers.
Meta’s stance and industry response
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has signalled reluctance to be compelled to verify the ages of all its users. In testimony to the same committee, Meta argued that age‑assurance responsibilities belong to app‑store operators like Apple and Google, which already manage user authentication for many mobile applications. Gannon confirmed that while the department has opened discussions with Meta and other platforms, there is currently no legal requirement for participation under the Online Safety Act.
Opposition members on the committee countered that the law should be amended to give regulators enforcement powers, but Gannon noted that any such change would need to be legislated separately. She added that participation in the trial is in the companies’ “best interest” because the findings will shape forthcoming industry codes that could become mandatory once finalized.
Technical challenges and independent assessment
One of the central questions is whether existing age‑verification methods—such as facial‑recognition, document scanning or AI‑driven behavioural analysis—can accurately differentiate younger teenagers from older adolescents. A recent report from the UK’s age‑verification regulator highlighted that facial‑recognition tools struggled with younger faces, a claim contested by Yoti, a provider involved in the Australian pilot. James Chisholm, a deputy secretary in the communications department, stressed the need for an impartial evaluation rather than reliance on any single vendor’s claims.
The trial will also explore how easy it is for users to bypass safeguards. VPNs, which mask a user’s IP address, are a common method for evading geo‑based restrictions. By testing the robustness of each solution against such workarounds, the government hopes to identify practical, enforceable standards.
Potential policy outcomes
Findings from the pilot are expected to feed directly into new industry codes announced on the same day as the committee hearing. Those codes could set minimum standards for age‑verification across all online services operating in Australia, from streaming platforms to gaming sites. If the technology proves effective and scalable, lawmakers may consider amending the Online Safety Act to grant regulators enforcement authority, a step that opposition parties are already urging.
Conversely, if the trial reveals significant technical or privacy shortcomings, the government may opt for a softer approach, such as encouraging voluntary compliance or focusing on education campaigns aimed at parents and guardians.
What comes next
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications will publish a detailed report later this year, outlining the trial’s methodology, results and recommended policy actions. In the meantime, Meta and other platforms are expected to continue negotiations with officials, while advocacy groups prepare for potential legal challenges should mandatory age‑verification be imposed.
Regardless of the outcome, the expanded trial marks a pivotal moment in Australia’s broader effort to safeguard children online, balancing the promise of digital connectivity with the need to protect young users from harmful content.
Why it matters
The trial could set a precedent for mandatory age‑verification on social media, influencing how governments worldwide protect minors online.
Key points
- Australia expands a $6.5 million pilot to test blocking children from social media as well as porn sites
- The trial will assess multiple age‑verification technologies and their resistance to VPN circumvention
- Meta argues age checks should be handled by app stores, not the platforms themselves
- No current legal power forces companies to join; any enforcement would require legislative change
- Results will inform new industry codes and possible amendments to the Online Safety Act
Frequently asked questions
What is the purpose of Australia’s age‑verification trial?
The pilot aims to evaluate whether digital tools can reliably confirm a user’s age and block minors from accessing pornographic content and, now, major social‑media platforms.
Which companies are being approached to join the trial?
The government is in talks with Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram) and other social‑media operators, though participation is currently voluntary.
Will the trial make age verification mandatory for all users?
Not at this stage. The trial is a research exercise; any mandatory requirement would need new legislation or regulatory codes.
How will the effectiveness of the technology be measured?
An independent expert will test each solution’s accuracy, privacy impact and ability to be bypassed using tools like VPNs.
