Australia passes world’s first social-media ban for under-16s
Australia’s landmark ban is light on details, but could pave the way for other governments to take similar action.
Australia has taken an unprecedented step in taking on Big Tech: within a year, children under 16 will be banned from using social media, following Thursday’s Senate approval on the world’s first law of its kind.
The bill comes amid mounting concerns about the negative impact of social media — a “scourge,” as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described it — on teens’ mental health.
The list of tech companies targeted, though yet to be specified explicitly in the legislation, includes TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, X, and potentially Reddit — each of which could be fined up to 49.5 million AUD (32.2 million USD) if found to be in violation of the new law. These apps rank among the most popular apps for Australian kids aged 10-15, based on an August study by software firm Qustodio.
Some platforms, however, are exempt from the ban: messaging apps (like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger Kids), online gaming platforms, and YouTube, thanks to its “educational” purpose. An exemption for YouTube would be a big deal — it’s the most-used app for 7- to 9-year-olds in Australia and the second most-used for 10- to 15-year-olds, per Qustodio.
The obvious question with such a ban is: how do you enforce it? Many social apps technically already have age limits in their terms of use, which, candidly, aren’t hard to ignore for a determined teen or preteen. Indeed, the specifics of enforcement remain unclear; instead companies will be required to come up with “reasonable alternatives” to ensure users are over 16. The Australian government is also testing its own “age assurance technologies,” such as facial scans to estimate and verify a user’s age.
The move has sparked mixed reactions. A November YouGov poll found that 77% of Australians support the ban, with 87% favoring tougher penalties for platforms that fail to comply with Australian laws. However, tech giants like Meta, TikTok, and X have slammed the bill as rushed, raising concerns about its effectiveness. In October, over 100 academics signed an open letter calling the law “too blunt an instrument” to address the risks of social media.
