Australia passes landmark social media ban for children under 16

Australia’s Parliament has passed groundbreaking legislation banning social media use for children under 16, marking a significant move that could influence global social media regulation.

The Social Media Minimum Age Bill passed with 34 votes against 19 in the Senate and was subsequently confirmed by the House of Representatives.

Under the new law, major social media platforms such as Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and X must implement “reasonable steps” to prevent users under 16 from accessing their services. Companies that fail to comply face substantial fines of up to $32.5 million (USD). The legislation will begin enforcement in January, with full implementation required by the end of 2025.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that the law aims to protect children from social media’s harmful effects, expressing support for Australian parents. The legislation specifically targets platforms requiring account login, excluding YouTube and messaging/gaming sites. While platforms must verify users’ ages, children who circumvent restrictions using VPNs won’t face penalties.

Platform responses have been mixed. Meta acknowledged respect for Australian law but criticized the rushed legislative process, while TikTok expressed willingness to collaborate on teen safety while noting concerns about unintended consequences.

This legislation follows France’s similar move restricting social media access for children under 15 without parental consent. Several democratic nations — including Norway, the U.K. and some U.S. states — are closely monitoring Australia’s implementation of these restrictions.

Read more: Australia bans social media access for children under 16, may provide benchmark for other countries