Australia has made a bold and groundbreaking decision by passing a law that bans children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, becoming the first country in the world to impose such a strict regulation. The legislation, which has been approved by both houses of the Australian Parliament, represents a significant effort to protect young people from the myriad risks associated with the online world. The law is slated to take effect within the next 12 months, allowing time for the implementation of necessary enforcement measures. This move comes as part of a growing global conversation about how to ensure the safety and well-being of children in an era where social media has become ubiquitous in their lives.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been at the forefront of advocating for this sweeping legislation. In his view, the need for a social media ban is clear: children are increasingly vulnerable to the harmful effects of online platforms, including cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, mental health issues, and the addictive nature of these platforms. Albanese has repeatedly emphasized that this measure is necessary to give children the opportunity to grow up free from the pressures and dangers associated with social media. He was quoted as saying, “We want our kids to have a childhood, and parents to know we have their backs,” framing the law as a means to ensure that young Australians are protected from a landscape that many experts argue is toxic for their development.
The bill, which passed through the Senate with a majority vote of 34 to 19, was quickly approved by the House of Representatives, further solidifying the government’s commitment to tackling what they see as a growing crisis in child online safety. The legislation is groundbreaking in that it sets the minimum age for social media use at 16—considerably higher than similar laws passed in other countries. Most notably, unlike other attempts to restrict social media access, this legislation does not provide exemptions for children who have parental consent or those already using social media platforms. This makes Australia the first country to impose such a sweeping restriction on underage access to these platforms.
Under the new law, the government has the authority to decide which specific social media platforms will be banned, though it is widely expected that platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) will be included in the list. However, platforms that do not require users to create accounts—such as YouTube—will be exempt, as will gaming and messaging platforms. The enforcement of the ban will rely heavily on age-verification technology, which social media companies will be required to implement themselves. Although the government has not specified which technologies will be used, it has indicated that various options, including biometric identification or identity verification, will be explored. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the effectiveness of these systems, particularly as children may easily bypass these restrictions using tools such as virtual private networks (VPNs), which mask a user’s location and make it appear as though they are accessing the internet from another country.
Despite these concerns, the law places the responsibility on social media platforms to ensure compliance, and penalties will be levied against those that fail to implement the necessary safeguards. However, children who attempt to circumvent the rules will not face any penalties. This has led to some criticism, with digital rights advocates arguing that the law may be ineffective in achieving its intended goals, particularly if children can easily bypass the age-verification systems.
Polling data shows that the majority of Australian parents are in favor of the law, with many welcoming the opportunity to protect their children from the addictive nature of social media. Advocacy groups such as the one led by Amy Friedlander, who has been a vocal supporter of the law, argue that parents have long been caught between two unsatisfactory choices: allowing their children to use social media, or risk their social isolation. “For too long, parents have had this impossible choice,” Friedlander said in an interview with the BBC. “We’ve been trapped in a norm that no one wants to be a part of.”
However, not all experts are convinced that the ban is the right approach. Many argue that the law is a “blunt instrument” that could backfire, pushing children into less-regulated corners of the internet, where they may be exposed to even more serious risks. Critics also contend that the law fails to address the underlying problems of social media use, such as addiction and mental health issues, and may simply drive children to less-regulated spaces online. Furthermore, tech companies, including Google, Snap, and Meta, have criticized the lack of detail in the legislation, expressing concern that the broad definition of a “social media platform” could make compliance difficult.
Youth advocates have also expressed frustration, arguing that the law fails to involve young people in the conversation about how to protect them online. The eSafety Youth Council, a group of young people advising the Australian eSafety Commissioner, has called for a more nuanced approach, stating, “We understand we are vulnerable to the risks and negative impacts of social media, but we need to be involved in developing solutions.”
Prime Minister Albanese has acknowledged that no law is perfect, but he has defended the legislation, drawing a parallel to the ban on alcohol for minors. He explained that the government is not arguing that the law will be flawless, but that it is the right thing to do to protect children from harm. “We don’t argue that its implementation will be perfect, just like the alcohol ban for [children] under 18 doesn’t mean that someone under 18 never has access – but we know that it’s the right thing to do,” Albanese stated. As Australia sets a new global precedent, the international community is watching closely, with countries such as Norway and the UK indicating that they may follow Australia’s lead.
