Australia Implements Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

Australia has officially enacted a groundbreaking law prohibiting social media access for children under 16, following intense national debate. The law, one of the strictest globally, targets major tech companies like Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram) and TikTok, imposing penalties of up to AUD 49.5 million (USD 32 million) for non-compliance.

The legislation, known as the Social Media Minimum Age Bill, will undergo enforcement trials in January 2025 and take full effect a year later. This ban places Australia at the forefront of efforts to address social media’s mental health impact on youth. Unlike similar regulations in countries like France or U.S. states, which allow access with parental consent, the Australian law is absolute.

The bill’s passage is a political win for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s center-left government, which faces re-election in 2025. While some child advocacy and privacy groups opposed the measure, public support remained strong, with 77% of Australians favoring the ban.

Public discourse around the legislation was fueled by a parliamentary inquiry throughout 2024, during which parents of children harmed by social media-related bullying shared their experiences. Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp championed the initiative with the campaign Let Them Be Kids.

However, the legislation has drawn criticism from privacy advocates and international voices. Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), labeled it a “backdoor way to control internet access for Australians.” This move could also complicate relations with the United States, where many affected tech companies are based.

The law builds on Australia’s contentious history with Big Tech, including earlier measures requiring platforms to pay royalties for news content and combat scams.

Meta expressed concerns over the rushed legislative process, arguing it overlooked evidence of existing safeguards for young users. A Meta spokesperson stated, “It’s critical that rules tied to this bill are technically feasible and consistently applied across all platforms used by teens.” TikTok and X have yet to comment.

This legislative move signals Australia’s commitment to regulating the digital space, with implications for global tech policy and internet governance.