Nathan Kerr, CTO and Executive Director, One Click Group Limited
GUEST OPINION: The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 rolling out across Australia is a bold step.
But we aren’t alone. Globally, governments are increasingly prioritising online safety for young users. The European Union’s Digital Services Act and similar measures in the UK and US are enforcing stricter age-based controls, making Australia’s efforts part of a larger movement toward a safer digital world.
Fundamentally, by enforcing a minimum user age of 16, the legislation seeks to limit exposure to harmful content, misinformation, and addictive digital habits. However, while technology can enforce such restrictions, it cannot solve the human challenges that undermine their effectiveness.
This enduring vulnerability is encapsulated in the industry shorthand PEBKAC—“Problem Exists Between Keyboard and Chair.”
The Root of the Problem
PEBKAC isn’t a technical flaw—it’s a reflection of human behaviour. Even the most sophisticated systems can be undone by users who deliberately or inadvertently bypass safeguards. Parents share accounts with children. Teens discover loopholes. People lie about their age. These behaviours expose the limits of technological solutions, emphasising that the greatest vulnerability in any system is the human element.
In this context, age verification technology can act as a gatekeeper, but the gates are only as effective as the respect they command. The Bill’s success will rely on more than just robust systems; it will demand education, accountability, and cultural change to ensure compliance and buy-in from all stakeholders.
Why Age Verification Matters
The rationale for the age limit is clear: adolescents under 16 are particularly vulnerable to the psychological and social risks of social media. While 16 as a threshold might lack scientific precision, it is a pragmatic choice. It provides an opportunity for young people to develop critical thinking and emotional resilience before navigating platforms that amplify harmful behaviours like cyberbullying and unhealthy comparisons.
The real challenge lies in reliably verifying ages. Current estimation-based methods are often inadequate, exposing younger users to risks while failing to enforce compliance. Secure, privacy-conscious systems like One Click Verify offer a path forward. By leveraging biometric data, document verification, and global integration, these systems can authenticate users without oversharing sensitive information.
Beyond the Technology
Implementing the Bill will inevitably involve a transition period. Those aged 12–15 who currently use social media will need time to “age out,” while younger children will grow up with new norms in place. History shows that societal change takes time, but it’s achievable with consistent implementation and public awareness campaigns.
No matter how advanced the tools, no system can completely eliminate PEBKAC, human behaviour is too complex. Addressing that requires a broader approach that includes:
- Parental Education: Encouraging parents to understand the risks and actively monitor their children’s online activities.
- User Awareness: Promoting accountability and reinforcing the importance of truthful and responsible behaviour online.
- Cultural Shift: Normalising stricter age restrictions to create a societal consensus around online safety. As with public health campaigns like seatbelt laws and anti-smoking initiatives, shaping public perception is vital to achieving long-term acceptance or normalisation – and compliance.
The focus should not only be on enforcing rules but also on fostering a digital culture where compliance is the norm.
A Safer Path Forward
The Bill sets an important precedent, but it is just the beginning. Moving forward, we must prioritise solutions that balance security, accessibility, and user experience. Intrusive or overly complex systems will fail to gain public trust, undermining their effectiveness. We must advocate for transparency in how verification systems operate.
Building public trust in these technologies is as vital as ensuring their technical soundness, so it’s critical we prioritise systems that are seamless, secure, and minimally invasive. By implementing robust verification measures, we can prevent underage access while preserving user privacy and simplifying compliance for businesses.
The Human Factor in Online Safety
Ultimately, the success of the social media age ban will hinge on more than just technology. While systems like One Click Verify provide the tools to enforce age restrictions, they cannot address the human factors that drive non-compliance. This is where education and cultural change come into play.
By aligning technical solutions with societal efforts, we can create a safer online environment for future generations. It won’t be perfect—PEBKAC will always be a factor—but with the right mix of innovation and accountability, we can mitigate its impact and move toward a more responsible digital landscape.
The age of unrestricted access is coming to an end. Let’s ensure the next chapter of online safety is one where technology and humanity work hand in hand.
About Nathan Kerr
Nathan Kerr is a dynamic fintech and regtech leader, recognised for transforming financial technology with bold, forward-thinking innovation. As Chief Technology Officer and Executive Director at One Click Group Limited, Nathan brings over a decade of expertise in simplifying complex financial systems, turning barriers into breakthroughs for businesses and individuals alike.
With over a decade of experience in finance and technology, Nathan’s achievements include founding Just FSG in 2012, which he expanded into a national firm managing over 15,000 tax returns annually. He went on to establish the One Click Life brand in 2014, creating user-focused tools that streamline financial tasks and compliance. Nathan holds four patents for groundbreaking tax return processing technologies, demonstrating his technical ingenuity and problem-solving ability.
A sought-after thought leader, Nathan sits on multiple Australian Taxation Office advisory councils, where he champions digital innovation and regulatory transformation. His practical approach to innovation combines advanced technology with accessible design, making financial solutions more efficient and secure.
Driven by a commitment to progress, Nathan continues to push boundaries in ID verification, regtech, and fintech, ensuring businesses and individuals can navigate complex systems with ease. His leadership and technical acumen make him a key figure shaping the future of financial technology.
iTWire – The social media age ban: A technical fix for a human problem