Australia Moves to Block Under-16s From Social Media in Major Global First
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Australia banned under-16s from social media in a world-first crackdown, marking a decisive shift in how governments respond to rising concerns about online safety. The move targets major platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and X, all of which now face potential fines of US$33 million if they fail to remove Australia-based users younger than 16. The country’s leadership framed this shift as an attempt to “take back control” from powerful tech giants whose platforms have become deeply embedded in the daily lives of young people.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the change as one of the most significant adjustments to Australia’s social and cultural landscape, saying, “Enough is enough,” and adding, “We will take back control.” The government argues that strong intervention is essential to protect children from “predatory algorithms” that repeatedly push harmful content involving bullying, sexual material and violence. When the laws took effect after midnight, countless young users woke up to discover they could no longer access the apps they spent hours on each day. Ten-year-old Bianca Navarro summed up the reality many children now face, saying, “It will be pretty sad because I have six years until I can watch it.”
Why Has Australia Taken Such a Hard Line?
The ban sweeps across nearly all major social platforms. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat and Reddit are prohibited from having under-16 users in Australia, as are Kick, Twitch, Threads and X. Parents have welcomed the move as a direct response to growing concerns about long-term exposure to unhealthy online content. Among the most vocal was Mia Bannister, who blamed social media for the loss of her teenage son. “I’m sick of the social media giants shirking responsibility,” she told AFP. “The problem is we hand them a phone and we hand them the greatest weapon we could hand them.”
Research linking heavy screen time to declining mental wellbeing among teens continues to grow, though experts caution that lifestyle factors often overlap. Still, many parents view the new rules as overdue. Father-of-five Dany Elachi described the moment as a “line in the sand,” adding, “We need to err on the side of caution before putting anything addictive in the hands of children.”
Will This Ban Actually Work?
Around the world, teenagers are watching Australia’s decision closely. Nigerian high-school student Mitchelle Okinedo, 15, noted that “students nowadays, they are really distracted.” Others, like 16-year-old Santiago Ramirez Rojas from Mexico City, believe social media is essential for young people who want to express themselves, regardless of age.
Tech companies, however, argue the ban will push minors toward unregulated corners of the internet instead of keeping them safer. Meta warned that teens are already drifting to less supervised platforms, stating, “We’ve consistently raised concerns that this poorly developed law could push teens to less regulated platforms or apps.” X told its young users that the decision was “not our choice” and explained, “It’s what the Australian law requires.”
Some platforms not currently covered by the rules, such as Lemon8 and yope, have seen a rapid spike in downloads as young users search for alternatives. Meanwhile, platforms like Reddit are considering potential legal challenges, and an Australian internet rights group has launched its own effort to reinstate teen access.
Australia acknowledges that the rollout will not be perfect. Authorities expect determined teenagers to find ways around the restrictions, but platforms now carry the responsibility for verifying users’ ages. Companies plan to rely on tools such as AI-driven facial-age estimation and optional government ID uploads. The list of banned platforms may also expand, with currently exempt services like Roblox, Pinterest and WhatsApp remaining under review.
This decision places Australia at the forefront of a global conversation. Countries such as New Zealand and Malaysia are already studying the move as they evaluate their own online safety measures. Australia’s shift signals a new era of accountability for tech giants and opens a wider debate about how far governments should go to protect young people in an increasingly digital world.
By Lucky Anyanje
