Media.com Champions Verified Social Networking Movement as Australia Embarks on Social Media Reform
As governments worldwide grapple with the rising issue of online harm, Australia is emerging as a global leader in social media reform. Moreover, the nation’s December 10 move to restrict social media access for those under 16 is drawing global attention. At the same time, Australian-founded Media.com is offering a timely alternative: the world’s first fully verified online community.
Built on a model where every user is verified as a real person, Media.com is rolling out a social network that studies suggest may reduce online harms by up to 72 per cent [1]. The social platform’s approach aligns with the global growing trend toward digital safety, child protection, and accountability in online ecosystems.
Why Verification Matters for Safer Social Media
“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.”
A Global Platform Built in Australia
As an Australian-founded platform headquartered in New York, Media.com reflects the country’s broader commitment to safer digital environments. While policy reforms like the under-16 social media ban aim to reduce exposure to harmful platforms, they have limits. Media.com takes a more proactive approach. It builds a community where harmful behaviour is far harder to perpetrate because anonymous accounts and bots do not exist.
Beta Growth and Upcoming App Launch
Since going live in beta last year, Media.com has onboarded verified users from more than 65 countries. It is now in the final stages of releasing its much-anticipated iPhone and Android apps.
The company has also begun discussions with major global brands across entertainment, technology, automotive, travel, financial services, and telecommunications. These organisations see Media.com as an appealing early adopter platform because of its “brand safety first” value proposition. They also value its verified traffic and support for short- and long-form content, including video, articles, podcasts, and photos.
Key Benefits for Users and Brands
- 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’s Role in Global eSafety Reform
The alignment of national policy reform and Australian-driven innovation signals a major shift in how the world thinks about online communities. Moreover, other nations are now considering age restrictions, new safety standards, and rules for AI-driven content. Media.com offers 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.”
About Media.com
Media.com is the world’s first fully verified social network on a mission to tackle online harms. Every piece of content posted to Media.com is traceable to the verified user who owns the profile. This approach delivers a new standard of accountability, transparency, and trust in online information. Users can post and share videos, photos, articles, podcasts, files, and more from feature-rich profiles. They can also engage in discussions with real people who value being part of a trusted online community. Media.com can onboard and verify users from more than 200 countries, including undertaking identity verification of more than 5,000 identification (ID) types. 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. For more information, visit Media.com.
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