Australia Implements Groundbreaking Social Media Ban for Children

Wed Dec 10 2025 21:02:28 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a bold move to protect children from harmful online content, Australia has become the first country in the world to implement a ban on social media access for those under 16 years of age.

Australia's new law to ban children under 16 from social media platforms has gone into effect, leaving many teens locked out of their accounts. Advocates argue this policy is crucial for protecting young people from harmful content, while critics express concerns about the potential for children to circumvent the ban. The initiative is supported by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who believes it could set a precedent for similar regulations worldwide.

Australia's world-first social media ban for children has taken effect, with throngs of teenagers waking up to find their accounts have gone dark. Others tell BBC they have already snuck past barriers and will continue scrolling and posting freely until they are caught.

The new law means social media firms - including Meta, TikTok, and YouTube - must take 'reasonable steps' to ensure Australians aged under 16 don't hold accounts on their platforms. The ban, eyed with excitement by global leaders and trepidation by tech companies, was justified as necessary to protect children from harmful content and algorithms - though critics have argued blanket prohibition is neither practical nor wise.

This landmark policy has been one of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's pet projects, and speaking to media he expressed pride in the initiative, saying, This is a day in which my pride to be prime minister of Australia has never been greater. He emphasized the historical significance of this reform, likening it to other major Australian achievements.

The policy marks Australia as the first jurisdiction to deny an exemption for parental approval in a social media age restriction. Various governments, from the US state of Florida to the European Union, have been experimenting with limiting children's use of social media, but Australia's approach stands alone with its strict measures.

Polling indicates broad support among parents, seeking to reduce cyber-bullying and child exploitation, yet many children express disappointment at the lost connections, particularly those from marginalized communities. Critics suggest improving educational efforts and moderation instead of outright bans, reflecting a divided opinion on the most effective strategies for ensuring online safety.

Online safety regulator Julie Inman Grant affirmed that compliance checks will begin soon and that the focus is on social media firms facing potential fines for neglecting the new law. As the world watches closely, Australia may lead the charge against the challenges presented by social media in children's lives.