In a groundbreaking move, Australia has passed a bill that imposes a world-first ban on social media use for individuals under the age of 16. With concerns over child mental health and well-being at the forefront, the law aims to protect minors from the potential harms of social media platforms.
This legislation has garnered both widespread support and vocal criticism, sparking a debate about the balance between safeguarding young people and ensuring their freedom to connect online.
A Historic Step: Australia Leads the Way on Social Media Regulation
On Thursday, Australia’s Senate passed a bill that will impose some of the strictest social media access laws globally. The legislation, which has already been approved by the House of Representatives, makes Australia the first country to set a firm age limit of 16 for accessing major social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok.
The bill was introduced to address growing concerns about the negative impact of social media on children’s mental health. The Australian government, in backing this law, pointed to increasing evidence that platforms can expose young people to bullying, online predators, and harmful content. This new restriction places the country at the forefront of global efforts to control children’s digital interactions.
The Details: What Does the Law Entail?
The law, which is set to come into force by the end of 2025, prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from creating or using accounts on social media. The bill mandates that social media companies take substantial steps to prevent minors from accessing their platforms.
Platforms that fail to comply with the new regulation will face hefty penalties — a fine of up to 50 million Australian dollars (around €30.8 million). Social media giants will have one year to implement changes that ensure compliance with the new law, which will include verifying the ages of users more effectively.
Setting a Global Precedent: Australia’s Unprecedented Legal Move
This landmark legislation sets the highest age limit for social media access worldwide. Previously, efforts to restrict underage social media usage have had mixed results. In the U.S., the state of Utah passed a similar law, but it was later struck down by a federal judge on constitutional grounds. Meanwhile, France introduced a law last year limiting social media access for children under 15 without parental consent.
Australia’s new bill, however, goes a step further by enforcing an age threshold of 16, a move that has made headlines globally. The law was passed with bipartisan support, with 34 senators voting in favor of the measure and 19 voting against it. The bill had already gained approval in the House of Representatives, with 102 MPs voting in favor and 13 against.