Victoria Unveils Social Media Laws to Unmask Accounts, Scrap 10% Harm Threshold for Children
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 19
Victoria Unveils Social Media Laws to Unmask Accounts, Scrap 10% Harm Threshold for Children
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 19
Summary
Victoria said it will let Vcat order social media platforms to identify anonymous accounts accused of online vilification, a first for an Australian state.
The reforms would also remove the current requirement that families prove a child suffered at least 10% permanent psychiatric impairment before suing social media or AI platforms for negligence.
Premier Jacinta Allan said the changes are aimed at protecting children from addictive platforms and giving families a clearer path to take companies to court when harm occurs.
Law professor Marilyn Bromberg backed the package as a useful start, saying overseas demasking regimes can deter abuse but arguing the powers should also cover defamation and cyberbullying.
The measures will be developed after consultation with Vcat, courts and other stakeholders, as global legal pressure on Meta, Google and other platforms over youth mental health harms intensifies.
After a national ban's mixed results, will Victoria's new demasking laws actually protect children online?
Will stripping anonymity from online trolls protect kids, or will it just silence legitimate dissent?
Victoria’s 2026 Social Media Laws: Under-16 Ban, Parental Legal Powers, and the Future of Online Accountability
Overview
Victoria's new social media laws, effective July 2026, mark a major step by the government to address concerns about the impact of digital platforms on families and young people. Premier Jacinta Allan highlights that these laws are designed to protect families from harmful online content, responding to parents' feelings of powerlessness as children quickly become absorbed in social media. The new regulations make it easier for parents to take legal action against major technology companies, providing a more accessible path for families to seek accountability and recourse. This shift aims to balance protection with practical legal empowerment for families.