Australia on Wednesday enforced a world-first ban preventing anyone under the age of 16 from using social media platforms, marking one of the most aggressive global attempts to curb the impact of online content on children.
Under the new law, major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X (Twitter), Snapchat, Reddit, Threads, Kick, and Twitch are prohibited from hosting or creating accounts for users below 16. Companies that fail to comply risk fines of up to US$33 million.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the move as a necessary step to protect children from “predatory algorithms” delivering harmful content involving bullying, violence, and sexual material.
“Enough is enough,” Albanese said. “We will take back control.”
The law came into force just after midnight, immediately locking hundreds of thousands of young teenagers out of platforms they routinely used.
Ten-year-old Bianca Navarro told AFP she was already counting down: “It will be pretty sad because I have six years until I can watch YouTube again.
For many parents, the ban is long overdue.
Mia Bannister, whose teenage son Ollie died by suicide after online bullying and exposure to extreme dieting content, said tech companies must finally be held responsible.
“I’m sick of the social media giants shirking responsibility,” she said.
“We hand children a phone, and we hand them the greatest weapon we could hand them.”
Research continues to link excessive online activity to declining teen mental health, though experts note other factors can also contribute.
Father of five, Dany Elachi, welcomed the decision, calling it “a line in the sand” to prevent addictive behavior in children.
Several companies, including Meta and YouTube, have criticized the law.
Meta warned it could push young users toward unregulated or underground platforms.
“We’re now seeing those concerns become reality,” the company said.
Elon Musk’s X said simply: “It’s what the Australian law requires.”
Unlisted apps such as Lemon8 and yope have already surged in downloads as teens search for workarounds.
Social media companies are solely responsible for verifying age. Some plan to use AI age estimation, while others may require young users to upload a government-issued ID.
Questions remain about enforcement, including what counts as “reasonable steps” to block underage users.
Platforms like Roblox, WhatsApp, and Pinterest are currently exempt, but officials say the list is under review.
Australia’s unprecedented move is drawing attention from governments worldwide. New Zealand and Malaysia are reportedly considering similar restrictions, and digital rights groups in Australia have already launched legal challenges seeking to overturn the ban.
Despite expected loopholes and resistance, Australia insists the law marks a necessary protective step.
“It won’t be perfect,” Albanese admitted, “but doing nothing is no longer an option.”