Australia has made history by approving one of the world’s strictest social media laws, banning children under the age of 16 from accessing platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. The decision, announced on Thursday, followed an intense national debate over the impact of social media on young people’s mental health.
Under the new law, tech companies like Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram) and TikTok must prevent underage users from logging in. If they fail, they could face massive fines of up to A$49.5 million (around $32 million).
A trial phase to test enforcement methods will begin in January 2025, with the full ban set to take effect a year later.
This new legislation, called the Social Media Minimum Age Bill, positions Australia as a global leader in regulating Big Tech to protect young users. While some countries, like France and certain U.S. states, have introduced laws requiring parental consent for minors to access social media, Australia’s approach goes further by enforcing an outright ban for anyone under 16.
The move is expected to influence similar regulations in other countries, as governments worldwide grapple with concerns over social media’s impact on mental health, especially among teenagers.
