- Australia bans social media for under-16s to protect their mental health, effective in 12 months.
- Platforms like TikTok and Instagram must enforce age limits or face fines up to AUD 50 million.
- Critics argue the law is vague and hard to implement, while 77% of Australians support it.
Australia has introduced a groundbreaking law banning children under 16 from using social media to safeguard their mental health. Social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, are now required to prevent underage users from creating accounts. The law, effective in 12 months, imposes hefty fines of up to AUD 50 million (USD 32.4 million) for non-compliance.
The legislation has widespread public support, with 77% of Australians backing it according to a YouGov survey. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the importance of protecting young Australians, stating, “We’re sending a message to social media companies to clean up their act.” However, critics, including tech giants like Meta and Elon Musk, have raised concerns about vague guidelines and enforcement challenges.
The law does not penalize children or their parents but requires platforms to take “reasonable steps” to verify users’ ages without relying on government ID uploads. Educational platforms and messaging apps like YouTube and WhatsApp are exempt from the ban.
This move aligns with global efforts to impose stricter age restrictions on social media, though critics warn of potential enforcement difficulties. Social media companies now have a year to adapt to the new regulations and clarify their compliance strategies.
