How is Australia’s Social Media Ban Doing?

With European capitals at varying stages of implementing social media bans for minors, the momentum for age assurance in Europe is real. Yet, as Europe moves forward, early evidence from across the globe offers an important reality check to secure a robust, evidence-based approach. So, what lessons does the Australian experience truly provide on social media ban implementation?

The Lisbon Council gathered leading voices from member states at the High-Level Breakfast on ‘Looking Down Under: Insights from Australia’s First Evaluation of the Social Media Ban,‘ to deep dive into findings from the first evaluation report by Australia’s eSafety Commissioner. The discussion explored the empirical realities, technical challenges and societal impacts behind implementing a social media ban. Professor Amanda Third, co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University, faculty associate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University, and member of the advisory group to support an evaluation of the implementation and outcomes of the Social Media Minimum Age (SMMA) obligation, opened the session with a comprehensive overview of the legislation’s rollout in Australia, including its implications for privacy and the broader technological landscape.

High-level participants also included Eva Holmström, culture counsellor, Permanent Representation of Sweden to the European Union; Vicky Margariti, digital and AI attaché, Permanent Representation of Greece to the European Union; Ségolène Milaire, counsellor, industrial policy and innovation, Permanent Representation of France to the European Union; Kai Agnes Schober, division education, family affairs, senior citizens, women and youth, Permanent Representation of Germany to the European Union; Rebecca Ryder, sport and media attaché, Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union; Mads Vigsø Bendsen, media and tech attaché, Permanent Representation of Denmark to the European Union, Ed Calavert, justice and home affairs team, Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the European Union; and Martin Harris Hess, head of sector, protection of minors, directorate-general for communications networks, content and technology, European Commission.