Australia has officially passed a groundbreaking law banning children under 16 from accessing social media, aiming to safeguard their mental health. Approved by lawmakers on Thursday, the legislation demands that platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok take “reasonable steps” to block underage users from creating accounts.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the need to protect kids, stating, “We want Australian children to have a childhood, and we want parents to know the Government is in their corner.” However, the government acknowledges that some children might find workarounds, putting the onus entirely on social media companies to enforce the rules.
The law, set to take effect in 12 months, imposes hefty fines of up to $50 million AUD ($32.4 million USD) on companies that fail to comply. Interestingly, platforms like YouTube and messaging apps like WhatsApp are exempt from these rules.
Tech giants, including Meta and X owner Elon Musk, have pushed back against the legislation. Meta criticized it as “inconsistent and ineffective,” while Musk called it a “backdoor way to control Internet access.”
Despite the opposition, public support is strong. A recent YouGov survey found 77% of Australians back the law. With similar initiatives emerging in Norway and Florida, Australia’s move may inspire a global shift in how social media is regulated for younger audiences.