Australias telecommunications ombudsman is gearing up for a surge in complaints due to new social media age restrictions, which may lock many users, particularly those under sixteen, out of their accounts. However, the ombudsman currently lacks the authority to resolve disputes related to digital platforms, leaving many Australians without a clear path for help when things go wrong online.The ombudsman has highlighted that faulty online services and products are already a significant source of frustration, causing considerable distress and harm to individuals and small businesses. For instance, a family accidentally spent over seven hundred dollars on a childrens app and couldnt get a refund.Cynthia Gebert, the ombudsman, is now urging the federal government to expand its powers to cover digital platforms, especially with the upcoming social media age ban. This change would provide essential appeal rights for users when digital services fail, aligning with recommendations from a recent review of the Online Safety Act and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.The proposed expansion would ensure that as digital services become more integrated into daily life, Australians have a dedicated and empowered body to turn to for resolution, rather than facing these complex online issues alone.

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