Australia has become the first country in the world to ban children under the age of 16 from having social media accounts. The law takes effect on December 10, 2025. It applies to all platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, and others who will have to block all users under 16. If they fail to do so they could face fines up to and between $33 to 50 million.
The law will force more than one million existing accounts to be deactivated. The law dictates that companies must take “reasonable steps” to verify a user’s age and ban those who are underage.
There is no penalty for the children or their parents/families.
As the Easton Gazette reported in this article, there is growing concern that social media usage and screen time is causing mental health problems with children including anxiety and depression. There is also a concern that social media promotes cyberbullying, sexual exploitation and exposure of children to grooming and inappropriate content. Many also point out that social media causes phone addiction and compulsive scrolling.
Is Technology Destroying Children’s Education And Mental Health? – The Easton Gazette
The action is precedent setting.
Enforcement will be the requirement that social media platforms employ stronger ID verification or age checks through their own- or third-party systems. The Australian eSafety Commissioner is charged with monitoring compliance.
Over 1 million existing accounts of children under 16 are being shut down. The action will cause tech companies worldwide to adjust to Australia’s action. Tech platforms are also preparing in case similar actions are taken in other countries. Currently, Australian officials estimate that 86% of children under 16 have open social media accounts.
Similar measures are gaining traction in Malaysia, Denmark, France and elsewhere
Supporters say that this action will protect children from the potential harms of social media. They also say this will encourage children to get outside, play, and interact with people in person. Parents feel this will encourage kids to read more and will aid in their education. Data shows that test scores of students in Australia and other countries have dropped since technology and social media have become a staple of student life.
Critics say that the policy will be very difficult to enforce. Since summer is beginning in Australia and school is out they say that children in rural areas may suddenly feel isolated from friends. Many also say that kids will find ways to get around the bans, including finding ways to use filters or masks to fool artificial intelligence or asking their parents to help them get online.
Children under 16 will still be able to watch videos, read posts, and look information up online. Author John Haidt says the law means ” some of the largest companies can no longer form business relationships with young children.”
Australia’s New Social Media Regulations Put Childhood First
Since technology is always changing, the government will have to be vigilant in monitoring ways that kids are avoiding the ban. It will have to be a multi-pronged attack.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote in an op-ed about the ban, “But the message this law sends will be 100 per cent clear,” Albanese noted in an op-ed published over the weekend, in which he harkened to when Australia set its legal drinking age to 18. “The fact that teenagers occasionally find a way to have a drink doesn’t diminish the value of having a clear, national standard.”
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-Jan Greenhawk
