Australia has passed a law banning children under 16 from accessing social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, becoming one of the first countries to implement such a strict regulation, Reuters reports.
The Social Media Minimum Age bill requires social media platforms to prevent minors from logging in or face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million) for non-compliance. The law, which will begin in 2025 after a trial period, follows growing concerns about social media’s impact on young people’s mental health, with 77% of Australians supporting the measure.
However, some privacy advocates and youth groups argue it could infringe on human rights, increase personal data collection, and limit vulnerable youth from accessing support networks. Some also warn it may push children to less visible, potentially more harmful parts of the internet.
