Australia announced plans to legislate a ban on social media for children under 16, making it one of the strictest measures globally, Reuters reports.
The proposed measures, which could become law by late 2025, aim to protect children’s physical and mental health from the harms of excessive social media use. This includes the use of an age-verification system, such as biometrics or government IDs, to block underage access to platforms. The ban will apply to major platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, and YouTube, with no exemptions for parental consent or pre-existing accounts, and social media platforms will be responsible for enforcing the age restrictions.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese cited the harmful effects of social media on children’s physical and mental health, particularly for girls dealing with body image issues and boys exposed to misogynistic content. The opposition Liberal Party has expressed support for the ban.
The proposal has faced criticism from industry groups, including the Digital Industry Group, which argues that it could push children towards unregulated parts of the internet and limit access to supportive online communities. Australia’s approach is one of the strictest in the world, surpassing similar measures in France and the US, which have imposed age restrictions with parental consent provisions.
