Australia has become the first country to impose a nationwide ban on social media use for children under the age of 16, introducing sweeping restrictions that place new obligations on major technology platforms and draw close attention from governments around the world.
Under the new law, enforced by Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, teenagers are barred from accessing ten major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube and X. Companies that fail to take what authorities describe as “reasonable steps” to prevent underage access could face fines of up to AU$49.5 million ($33 million).
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The government has framed the move as a child-safety and mental health reform aimed at reducing the impact of social media on young people. eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the ban was designed to protect children from “pressures and risks that users can be exposed to while logged in to social media accounts,” adding that these risks stem from “design features that encourage them to spend more time on screens, while also serving up content that can harm their mental health and wellbeing.”
The legislation applies to platforms that allow online social interaction, user-generated posts and the sharing of links, criteria that shaped the initial list of banned services. The government said the list could be expanded following regular reviews. Gaming-focused platforms and standalone messaging services such as Discord, Roblox and Steam are not currently covered by the ban.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the policy as a landmark shift in how young Australians engage with technology. “This will be one of the biggest social and cultural changes our nation has faced,” he said. “It is a profound reform that will be a source of national pride in years to come.”
Albanese urged young people to use the change as an opportunity to explore offline activities, saying, “Start a new sport, learn a new instrument, or read a book that has been sitting there on your shelf for some time.” The law has prompted global debate as other countries consider similar measures to regulate children’s access to social media.
Source: eSafety Commissioner Australia