Australia aims to protect kids with proposed under-16 social media ban

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a groundbreaking proposal to ban social media access for children under the age of 16, marking a significant move to protect youth from online harm. 

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Albanese stated, “Social media is doing harm to our kids and I'm calling time on it.” The proposed legislation, expected to be introduced in parliament this year, would require social media platforms to implement robust age verification measures to restrict access.

The new rules, if ratified, would take effect 12 months after parliamentary approval, setting a world-leading precedent for social media regulation. Under the law, platforms such as Meta’s Instagram and Facebook, as well as TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, would be required to enforce access restrictions. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland emphasized that the responsibility would lie with social media companies to prevent underage access, not parents or young users.

The policy, which would prohibit users under 16 from creating accounts, comes amid growing concerns over the mental health impact of social media on younger audiences. The legislation does not allow exemptions, even with parental consent, signaling the government’s firm stance on the issue. The initiative places Australia at the forefront of global efforts to regulate social media use among minors.