Canberra, July 19: Australia has become the first country in the world to impose a social media ban on children under the age of 16. Now, the state of Victoria is preparing to introduce provisions in its laws to unmask anonymous social media accounts. This initiative aims to address the rising online harassment and enhance child safety.
The proposed laws will require social media companies to reveal the identities of anonymous accounts accused of spreading online hate or engaging in objectionable activities. Premier Jacinta Allan announced a comprehensive package of social media reforms on Sunday, emphasizing the need for families to have more effective legal measures to protect their children from online threats.
Under the proposed legislation, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) will be granted special “demasking” powers. This will enable the tribunal to order social media platforms to disclose the identities of operators behind hate-filled anonymous accounts. If enacted, this would be the first provision of its kind in any Australian state. The government also aims to simplify the rules for filing lawsuits against social media and AI platforms for negligence.
Currently, families of children must prove that their child has suffered at least 10% permanent mental or physical harm to claim compensation or damages. The new proposal plans to eliminate this requirement for cases involving minors. Changes for adult victims will also be considered in the future.
Opposition Shadow Attorney General James Newbury stated that his party supports these reforms in principle but will provide final backing only after studying the detailed provisions and their implications. Meanwhile, legal actions against social media companies are intensifying globally.
Earlier in 2026, a U.S. court held Google’s parent company Alphabet and Meta accountable for damages related to social media addiction. This ruling is seen as a significant turning point regarding the impact of social media on youth mental health worldwide. The Victorian government has indicated that extensive consultations with tribunals, courts, and other relevant parties will take place before finalizing these proposed laws.
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