Australia is positioning itself as a global leader in social media reform as governments worldwide confront rising online harms.
Following the December 10 move to restrict social media access for under-16s, Australian-founded Media.com is drawing international interest with its fully verified online community.
Media.com requires every user to prove they are a real person, a model research suggests can reduce online harm by up to 72%.
The platform’s approach aligns with global pushes for stronger digital safety, child protection and accountability across social networks.
“The social media age restrictions in Australia are only part of the solution to restoring trust in online communities,” said James Mawhinney, founder and CEO of Media.com.
“Media.com believes the future of online interaction is in communities built on trust and authenticity from the start, where users can easily verify who they’re engaging and interacting with.” he said.
A Vision to Rebuild Trust in Online Engagement
As an Australian-founded platform headquartered in New York, Media.com reflects the country’s broader commitment to safer digital environments.
While policy reforms, such as the under-16 social media ban, focus on limiting exposure to potentially harmful platforms, Media.com presents a proactive alternative – a community where harmful behaviour is much harder to perpetrate because anonymous accounts and bots do not exist.
Momentum Builds Ahead of Apps Launch
Since going live in beta last year, Media.com has onboarded verified users from more than 65 countries and is in the final stages of releasing its much-anticipated iPhone and Android mobile apps.
The company is engaging global brands across entertainment, tech, automotive, travel, finance, and telecom as early adopters, highlighting its “brand safety first” approach, verified traffic for advertisers, and support for diverse content formats.
Unmatched Benefits of Media.com
- Universal identity verification, ensuring every user is a real, identifiable person, thus creating user transparency and accountability
- A bot-free, fake-account-free ecosystem
- Reduced exposure to harassment, impersonation, and misinformation
- Privacy-preserving verification standards aligned with global best practices
- Real, high-quality traffic for advertisers with targeted advertising features
“By verifying every user, Media.com is rewriting the rules of online engagement, tackling the root causes of online harm at the source,” said Irene Salvadori, Media.com’s Global Head of Verification.
“What governments and policymakers have long been demanding – a structural transformation for a safer, more accountable online world – has been delivered by our Australian team and built for online users around the globe.”
Australia at the Forefront of Global eSafety
The alignment of national policy reform and Australian-driven innovation signals a major shift in how the world thinks about online communities.
As other nations consider age restrictions, safety standards, and new rules for AI-driven content, Media.com is providing a real-world example of what safer, human-first social design can look like.
“Technology can either amplify harm or eliminate it,” added Mr Mawhinney. “Media.com proves that Australia is not just helping drive the changing face of social media — it’s helping build it for future generations.”
Media.com was created after CEO James Mawhinney experienced online harm with other networks. Currently in beta, Media.com is open for registration, verification, and content creation.
