Australia Passes World-First Ban on Social Media for Under-16s

Australia has introduced groundbreaking legislation to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms, making it the world’s strictest law on social media usage. Approved by the Senate, the law will take effect in November 2025, giving platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and X one year to implement age-verification systems. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to AU$50 million (£25 million).

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the move, describing it as a response to growing concerns over the harmful effects of social media on young people. "We want young Australians essentially to have a childhood," Albanese said, emphasizing that parents deserve "peace of mind." Polls indicate that the law is strongly supported by the public, with 77% of Australians backing the ban according to a YouGov poll.

The legislation does not require parental consent for under-16s to use the platforms or make exceptions for existing accounts, setting it apart from similar global efforts. Platforms like YouTube and messaging apps such as WhatsApp are exempt, though critics argue this leaves children vulnerable to other online risks.

To enforce the age restriction, the government plans to trial age-verification technologies, potentially involving biometrics or government IDs, but according to the legislation it will be the responsibility of the social media platforms themselves to implement these systems. This has raised privacy concerns among experts and users alike. Critics, including digital researchers and social media companies, warn that the systems could be flawed and open to circumvention through tools like VPNs.

Law sees mixed reactions from Australian public

Supporters argue the ban addresses urgent issues like online bullying and harmful content affecting mental health, particularly body image concerns for girls and exposure to misogynistic material for boys. However, detractors, including scholars and youth advocates, believe the ban is overly simplistic and risks alienating young people who rely on social media for support, education, and connection.

“There’s a real risk of pushing kids into unregulated and potentially dangerous corners of the internet,” said Christopher Stone of Suicide Prevention Australia. Platforms like 4chan, which are not included in the ban, could pose significant threats, experts warn.

Some critics have also highlighted the rushed nature of the bill, which allowed only a single day for public submissions. While 15,000 submissions were made, many lawmakers admitted they had no time to review them. Tech giants like Google and Meta requested delays to assess the law’s implications, while X owner Elon Musk called it a "backdoor way to control access to the internet."

Youth voices were largely excluded from the conversation. 17-year-old Leo Puglisi, founder of the youth-led news channel 6 News Australia, says that the government has not done enough to consult with the young people who will be impacted by the new legislation. “This is a government that is obviously not made up of teenagers, but it’s making law about social media when they didn’t grow up in the social media age.”

Despite the controversy, the government remains steadfast, framing the ban as a necessary step. As other nations, including the UK, consider similar measures, all eyes are on Australia to see how the law unfolds in practice.