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Australia Moves to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16 in Landmark Online Safety Push
Australia is set to introduce one of the world’s toughest online safety laws, announcing a plan to ban children under 16 from accessing social media platforms in a sweeping attempt to curb the growing mental-health crisis linked to online content.
Under the proposal—unveiled by the federal government after months of pressure from parents, teachers and safety advocates—major platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and X would be legally required to block accounts belonging to users under the age of 16, with strict age-verification systems put in place.
A Response to Rising Concerns
The decision comes amid increasing evidence that social media is contributing to higher levels of depression, anxiety and addictive behaviour among children. Australian officials described the move as a necessary step to protect young people from harmful algorithms, cyberbullying, grooming and exposure to inappropriate content.
Prime Ministerial advisers said the government could “no longer wait for the tech giants to police themselves,” noting widespread failures in moderating harmful material and preventing underage sign-ups.
Mandatory Age Verification
Under the draft legislation, platforms will need to implement robust, government-approved age-verification technology, which may include ID checks or third-party verification services. Companies caught breaking the rules could face multi-million-dollar fines.
Parents will also gain new powers, including the ability to request the suspension of accounts believed to belong to children under the age limit.
Mixed Reactions Across the Country
The proposal has drawn strong support from parent groups and mental-health organisations, who argue that children are being exposed to dangerous online environments at increasingly young ages.
“It’s long overdue,” said one advocacy group. “We regulate alcohol, driving and gambling because they pose risks. Social media should be no different.”
However, critics have raised concerns about privacy, free expression, and the practicality of enforcing such a ban. Digital rights groups warn that mandatory age verification could lead to mass data collection and potential breaches, while some teenagers argue the ban will simply drive young people to use VPNs or fake IDs.
Tech companies have so far given cautious responses, with several suggesting they will work with the government but raising questions about implementation timelines and technological feasibility.
A Global Test Case
If passed, Australia would become one of the first Western nations to enforce a blanket ban on under-16s accessing social media—placing it at the forefront of a growing international debate.
Governments in the UK, France and parts of the United States have introduced or proposed similar age restrictions, but none have implemented a nationwide ban as sweeping as Australia’s.
What Happens Next
The bill is expected to be introduced into Parliament within months, with a phased rollout planned once passed. The government has signalled it is prepared for legal challenges but insists the policy will save lives and protect the country’s youth.
For now, Australia’s families and tech firms brace for a radical change to the digital landscape—one that could reshape how the next generation engages with the online world.
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Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
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