Elon Musk’s company, X, has requested a delay in Australia’s upcoming ban on social media access for users under 16, citing serious concerns regarding the lawfulness of the policy. Initially slated to take effect on December 10, the legislation has drawn criticism for its potential negative impact on children’s rights to freedom of expression and access to information.

In a submission to a Greens-led inquiry on age verification, X argued that compliance should not begin until six months after regulatory guidelines are established, and included a call for a grace period. The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, reassured that enforcement actions would not commence immediately on the law’s implementation date but will begin investigating compliance issues shortly thereafter.

X noted that less than 1% of its Australian users are under 16 and questioned the effectiveness of a ban, suggesting it could drive minors to unregulated platforms, thereby increasing exposure to online harms. The company emphasized that age verification measures, such as those proposed, could infringe on children’s rights without effectively addressing online safety.

X also raised concerns about the vagueness of the legislation, suggesting that it could lead to an unfair burden on social media platforms and threaten freedom of information. Meanwhile, the Australian government is advocating for the adoption of similar regulations by other countries at the UN.



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