Australia has announced a plan to ban children under 16 from using social media, making it the first country in the world to do so.
The law, passed on Thursday, will fine social media companies up to AUD $50 million if they fail to comply. However, it will take at least a year before the rules come into effect.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the ban is meant to protect young people from the dangers of social media. The government will require platforms to use age-verification technology, though details about how this will work remain unclear.
Platforms like YouTube, which don’t require accounts to view content, and messaging or gaming apps won’t be included in the ban.
Critics, including companies like Meta, Google, and Snap, argue the law is vague and might not improve online safety. Some worry it could violate privacy, and TikTok said the definition of “social media platform” might cover almost any online service.
The new law won’t punish children who break the rules, and the final list of banned platforms will be decided by Australia’s communications minister and an internet regulator. The law must still pass through more stages of approval before it can be enforced.
Young people have also shared mixed reactions. Enie Lam, a 16-year-old Australian, said she appreciates the government’s concern but believes teens should learn to manage their social media use independently. Critics agree the ban raises many unanswered questions, leaving much to be worked out before it becomes reality.
