Australian lawmakers have approved legislation banning children under 16 from using social media platforms, a bold move to combat the negative effects of social media on young users’ mental health. Despite strong resistance from tech companies, the law will take effect in 12 months, giving platforms time to implement age-verification measures.
The legislation requires social media companies to take “reasonable steps” to prevent users under 16 from creating accounts. Unlike similar laws in other regions, the responsibility for enforcement falls solely on platform providers, with no penalties for children or their parents who violate the rules.
“We want Australian children to have a childhood,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. “This law sends a message to social media companies to clean up their act.”
While specific platforms weren’t explicitly named, major services like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok are expected to be affected. Educational sites such as YouTube and messaging apps like WhatsApp are exempt from the restrictions.
Australia Passes Landmark Social Media Ban for Users Under 16
