Communications Minister Anika Wells has specifically named LinkedIn as a potential future target for Australia’s under-16 social media ban if the professional networking site becomes a destination for harmful content targeting young teenagers. The warning demonstrates that even platforms with primarily adult user bases and professional purposes aren’t exempt from potential restrictions if youth behaviors shift in response to initial bans.
YouTube will begin signing out underage users on December 10, though parent company Google continues warning the approach eliminates crucial safety features. Rachel Lord from Google’s policy division detailed how account-based protections including parental supervision tools, content restrictions, and wellbeing reminders will become unavailable. The company argues the legislation was rushed and fundamentally misunderstands youth digital engagement.
Wells has dismissed tech industry pushback with unusually direct criticism, calling YouTube’s warnings “outright weird” during her National Press Club address. She argued that platforms highlighting their own safety problems should focus on solving those issues rather than opposing protective legislation. Wells stated that if LinkedIn becomes a place where online bullying occurs or algorithms target young teens in harmful ways, authorities will pursue the platform.
ByteDance’s Lemon8 app demonstrates how this comprehensive approach influences platform behavior. The Instagram-style service announced voluntary over-16 restrictions from December 10 despite not being explicitly named in legislation. Lemon8 had experienced increased interest specifically because it avoided the initial ban, but eSafety Commissioner monitoring prompted proactive compliance demonstrating the broad pressure Australia’s warnings create.
The government has acknowledged implementation challenges while maintaining commitment to adaptive enforcement. Wells conceded the ban won’t be perfect from day one, potentially taking days or weeks to fully materialize. The eSafety Commissioner will collect compliance data beginning December 11 with monthly updates, while platforms face penalties up to 50 million dollars. The LinkedIn warning signals that Australia’s regulatory framework encompasses all online platforms regardless of their primary purpose or typical user demographics, ensuring authorities can respond if young users migrate to currently unexpected destinations as the country attempts comprehensive youth social media access control rather than merely restricting obvious targets while leaving potential alternatives unmonitored.
