Australia has become one of the first countries in the world to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms.
The new law, which takes effect on 10 December, aims to protect children’s mental health and give parents greater control over their children’s online activities.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the legislation as a “world-leading social media law” designed to “let kids be kids” and reduce exposure to harmful online content.
Under the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat and YouTube must verify users’ ages and prevent underage users from opening accounts.
The Australian eSafety Commissioner will oversee enforcement and can impose penalties on companies that fail to comply.
Parent groups have welcomed the move, saying it will help protect young people from cyberbullying, addiction and harmful content. But technology companies have raised privacy concerns over how age verification will work.
The government says it will review the law regularly and collaborate with other countries to develop global standards for children’s online safety.
“We cannot continue to allow social media companies to decide what’s safe for our kids,” Prime Minister Albanese said. “This law sends a clear message — children come first.”
