Australia to implement under-16 social media ban by 2025

Funny videos posted on TikTok, playing with filters on Snapchat, sharing photos on Instagram, or communicating via WhatsApp—social media has become ingrained in people's lives worldwide, changing how individuals spend time or communicate with each other. Despite many advantages, social media involves significant risks, including addiction and its impact on mental health. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to potential problems associated with being online.

The Australian government is announcing changes regarding access to social media. During a press conference, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “This one is for the mums and dads... They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our kids online. I want Australian families to know that the government has your back.” Albanese added that social media affects young people's mental and physical health.

What will the changes involve? The law will prohibit children and teenagers under the age of 16 from using social media. Parental consent or prior presence on social media will not change this. Everyone will be subject to the same regulations. The ban covers platforms belonging to the Meta corporation, namely Facebook and Instagram, TikTok, Portal X, and possibly YouTube. The responsibility for verifying users' ages will lie with the social media companies, and they will be held accountable for violating the law. “Social media platforms would be penalized for breaching the age limit, but under-age children and their parents would not,” said Anthony Albanese. Although the new regulations require numerous amendments, they will likely come into effect by the end of 2025.