The Albanese government is taking significant steps to restrict social media access for users under 16. New research indicates that various tools can effectively verify or estimate the age of internet users. This supports the government's decision to implement a ban on social media accounts for individuals under this age, starting in December.

Under the new legislation, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, and YouTube must take reasonable measures to prevent Australians under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts. Companies that fail to comply could face fines of up to $49.5 million.

Tech companies have expressed concerns about the feasibility of these rules. They argue that tech-savvy teenagers could easily bypass age restrictions using virtual private networks (VPNs) and other methods. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese plans to address these issues at the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York, seeking international support to protect children from social media access.

On Sunday, the government released a comprehensive 1,100-page report detailing an independent trial of age assurance technology. This trial evaluated over 60 age verification and estimation technologies from 48 providers. The report found that age verification can be conducted in Australia efficiently and effectively, utilizing various methods such as checking passports, driver licenses, and identity cards. Additionally, it highlighted the potential of online tools that leverage credit reference agency databases, utility account records, educational records, and telecommunications data for age verification.

The report stated, "Age verification can be done in Australia privately, efficiently and effectively," and noted that there are no significant technological barriers to implementing these measures.

However, the report also raised concerns about privacy risks. It indicated that some tech companies might expose users to privacy breaches by storing sensitive documents and biometric data without proper authorization. The report emphasized the need for clearer regulatory guidance to ensure that privacy is maintained while assisting regulators.

Innovative methods such as hand movements, voice analysis, and image capture technology can estimate a user's age without requiring sensitive documents to be stored. The report also mentioned that details from electoral rolls and past alcohol purchases could help infer a user's age.

The release of this report coincides with a meeting this week between officials from the eSafety Commission and global safety executives from Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. This meeting aims to address concerns regarding the company's chatbots interacting with children.

The report concluded that while there are many options for age verification, no single solution fits all scenarios. Communications Minister Anika Wells stated, "The Albanese government is on the side of families and we’re pushing forward with our mission to keep kids safer online through world-leading reforms."

Wells added that the report demonstrates that digital platforms have access to technology that can better protect young people from inappropriate content and harm. The eSafety commissioner will use the findings to guide the industry in complying with the new regulations.

Although the tools are not foolproof, the report suggests that they can address potential circumvention tactics, such as document forgery and VPN usage. Albanese has reiterated that the possibility of young people bypassing the rules does not justify inaction. He stated, "That’s not a reason to stop the other laws that we’ve put in place about alcohol consumption, or about purchasing of tobacco, or other areas where governments act to identify clearly what are the community’s expectations."

The trial was conducted by the Age Check Certification Scheme, a British organization that independently evaluates age estimation solutions. The report was not intended to make policy recommendations but rather to assess the effectiveness of various age verification technologies.