Australia proposes ban on social media for children under 16
Australia is set to introduce groundbreaking legislation that will ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Thursday. This move, part of a larger package of measures aimed at reducing the harmful impact of social media on young people, could become law as early as late 2025.
In what the government calls a “world-leading” initiative, Australia is testing a new age-verification system that will help prevent children from accessing platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. The system, which includes biometric checks and government identification methods, is expected to be a key element of the proposed legislation.
“Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I’m calling time on it,” Albanese said at a news conference. He cited growing concerns about the negative effects of social media on both the physical and mental health of children. In particular, the Prime Minister highlighted the risks faced by girls due to harmful body image depictions and the misogynistic content targeted at boys.
Albanese emphasized the vulnerability of teenagers, especially those going through developmental changes. “If you’re a 14-year-old kid getting this stuff at a time when you’re maturing, it can be a really difficult time. What we’re doing is listening and then acting,” he said.
The Australian government’s proposed legislation would impose one of the strictest age limits on social media use globally. Unlike some countries that have considered similar bans, the Australian policy includes no exemptions for parental consent or pre-existing accounts. This means that children currently on social media will also be required to comply with the new rules.
The legislation, which will be introduced to Parliament later this year, is expected to take effect 12 months after being ratified. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland described the proposals as “truly world-leading,” asserting that the onus would be on social media companies to demonstrate they are taking “reasonable steps” to prevent access by children under 16.
The move has received support from the opposition Liberal Party, which has backed the principle of protecting young people online. However, it has faced some criticism from the tech industry. The Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI), which represents major platforms like Meta, TikTok, X, and Google, warned that the ban could drive young people to seek out unregulated parts of the internet, potentially putting them at greater risk.
“Rather than blocking access through bans, we need to take a balanced approach to create age-appropriate spaces, build digital literacy, and protect young people from online harm,” said DIGI Managing Director Sunita Bose.
Australia’s proposals are the latest in a global push to regulate social media use among minors. Last year, France proposed a similar ban for those under 15, but with allowances for parental consent. In the United States, a long-standing law requires tech companies to obtain parental consent to collect data from children under 13, leading most social media platforms to restrict access for those under that age.
If the Australian bill is passed, the country will become the first to impose such a comprehensive and strict social media age limit, marking a significant shift in the global conversation about digital safety for children.
