Australia Bans Social Media for Under-16s

Australia has officially enacted a groundbreaking ban preventing individuals under 16 from accessing major social media platforms, a policy that took effect on December 10, 2025. This world-first legislation mandates that platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube block underage accounts and new sign-ups, as reported by time Magazine.

The sweeping measure, formally known as the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, was largely driven by escalating parental concerns over youth mental health and online safety. The initiative aims to foster a childhood lived more offline, according to the original article.

The genesis of this policy can be traced to a personal plea from the wife of South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, who, after reading "The Anxious Generation," urged her husband to "do something!" as CBS News reported. This sentiment quickly gained political traction, leading to the rapid passage of the law.

Under the new law, social media companies face substantial fines of up to A$49.5 million (approximately $32 million USD) for failing to take "reasonable steps" to prevent under-16s from having accounts. The onus of enforcement falls squarely on the platforms, with no penalties for children or their parents, UNICEF Australia explained.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the implementation as "a proud day" for Australian families, emphasizing that the law empowers parents and asserts the right of children to simply be children. He told ABC News that the move demonstrates policymakers' ability to curb online harms that have outpaced traditional safeguards.

The ban applies to ten major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, X, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick, as confirmed by the eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant. These platforms were selected based on their primary purpose of enabling online social interaction and their significant number of under-16 users.

This unprecedented regulatory step by Australia is being closely watched by governments worldwide, many of whom are grappling with similar concerns about the impact of social media on young people. The legislation sets a significant global precedent for online safety.

• Background Context and Motivations: The Australian government's decision to implement this ban stems from growing concerns about the detrimental effects of social media on the mental health and well-being of young Australians. Reports indicate rising suicide and self-harm rates among Gen-Z, alongside issues like cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and addictive algorithms, Time Magazine noted. The eSafety Commissioner's data revealed that approximately 80% of Australian children aged 8 to 12 used at least one social media platform in 2024, highlighting the widespread engagement among underage users.

• Key Stakeholders and Their Stances: The ban has garnered strong support from the Australian government and many parents, with a 2024 YouGov poll indicating 77% public backing, according to Morning Brew. However, tech companies, while largely complying, have expressed concerns about enforceability and potential negative impacts. Amnesty International and other digital rights advocates have criticized the ban as an "ineffective quick fix" that infringes on children's rights and may push activity to less regulated online spaces, jurist reported.

• Enforcement Mechanisms and Initial Challenges: Social media platforms are now required to implement age verification technologies, which may include live video selfies, official documents, or sophisticated analysis of posting patterns, SBS News detailed. Despite these measures, initial reports from The Guardian and Morning Brew indicate "teething problems," with some under-16 users reportedly circumventing age checks using VPNs or by tricking facial recognition systems.

• Global Implications and Similar Initiatives: Australia's ban is seen as a "world-first" blanket prohibition, inspiring other nations to consider similar restrictions. Countries like Denmark, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Singapore have signaled intentions to pursue stricter age-based controls, while the European Union is also exploring regional age verification solutions, according to The Straits Times. The US also has ongoing legislative efforts, such as the Kids Off Social Media Act.

• Criticisms and Human Rights Concerns: Critics, including Amnesty International and UNICEF Australia, argue that the ban may not effectively address the root causes of online harm and could limit children's rights to free expression, information, and community. JURIST highlighted concerns that such restrictions could isolate vulnerable youth who rely on online platforms for support, particularly those in remote areas or minority groups.

• Impact on Youth and Parental Reactions: The ban has elicited mixed reactions from parents and young people. While some parents express relief at the government's intervention, others report their children feeling distressed and excluded, especially if their friends manage to bypass the restrictions, The Guardian noted. Some teens have openly mocked the ban online, claiming to have found workarounds, as reported by rnz News.

• Legislative Journey and Legal Challenges: The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 was passed by the Parliament of Australia on November 29, 2024, amending the existing Online Safety Act 2021, Wikipedia states. However, the Digital Freedom Project announced on November 26, 2025, that it would commence legal action in the High Court of Australia, challenging the new laws as a violation of the implied right to political communication.

• Future Outlook and Platform Adaptations: The Australian government acknowledges that the rollout will be "bumpy" and that the list of banned platforms is dynamic, with new apps potentially being added if they become popular with underage users, The Hindu reported. Platforms are adapting their services, with some offering options for users to download data or temporarily deactivate accounts until they turn 16, as detailed by The Guardian.