In a bold move to protect young people, Australia has passed a landmark law banning social media access for children under 16. While supporters say it’s a crucial step to combat online harms, critics argue it could isolate vulnerable youth and infringe on digital freedom.
Australia has just passed groundbreaking legislation banning social media access for children under 16, establishing some of the strictest online safety regulations globally.
In an effort to protect young people’s well-being, the ban is set to target popular platforms like X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Reddit, restricting access for users under 16. However, YouTube remains exempt from the new regulations. The law – described as “world-leading” – is set to come into force in November 2025 reported Sky News
Social media platforms have one year to develop and implement methods to verify users’ ages, or face hefty fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for failing to keep children off their platforms. The strictest of its kind worldwide. The bill, passed the Australian House of Representatives on Wednesday by a vote of 102 to 13.
The ban comes in response to a series of tragic suicides among Australian teenagers, with families attributing these deaths to online bullying. Advocates of the ban also highlighted the detrimental impact of social media on young people, citing concerns such as the influence of unrealistic beauty standards on girls and exposure to misogynistic content for boys.
Tech giants Google, Meta (parent company of Facebook and Instagram), and ByteDance (owner of TikTok) pushed back against the implementation of the ban. Calling for a delay as they believe that more time is required to evaluate the potential consequences of such a sweeping measure.
The ban has faced significant criticism outside of parliament. Parents and academics argue that social media can provide vital support networks for young people, particularly those who experience social isolation or marginalisation.
