Australia announced a new law that will ban children under 16 from using social media. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shared that this legislation, likely to be enacted next year, aims to protect young people from the harmful effects of excessive social media use.
To enforce the restriction, Australia is testing an age-verification system that would prevent children from accessing platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Albanese emphasized the potential physical and mental health risks, especially for girls who face negative body image pressures and boys exposed to misogynistic content. “Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I’m calling time on it,” he said in a press briefing.
Australia’s approach will be one of the strictest globally, including the highest minimum age limit set by any country. Unlike other places, Australia plans to enforce the rule without exemptions for pre-existing accounts or parental consent.
While some countries have attempted similar measures, Australia’s approach of using age verification through official ID or biometrics is unprecedented. However, some experts worry that blocking access may only delay young people’s exposure to social media without teaching them how to handle online environments.
The Digital Industry Group, representing companies like Meta, TikTok, X, and Google, voiced concerns that restrictive policies may push teens towards less regulated, potentially dangerous parts of the internet.
