Australia has made history by passing a groundbreaking law that bans children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. This unprecedented legislation, approved by parliament on Thursday, aims to address the rising concerns about the harmful effects of social media on the mental health of young Australians.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese championed the new law, citing evidence linking social media use to deteriorating mental health in children.
“We want our kids to have a childhood and parents to know we have their backs,” he told reporters after the vote.
The legislation prohibits platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Reddit from granting access to users under 16. However, YouTube has been exempted from the ban due to its strong focus on educational content.
Companies that fail to comply with the law face severe penalties, with fines of up to AU$50 million (US$32 million).
The law has received praise as a bold step toward protecting children, but it has also faced significant criticism from various quarters.
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Critics argue the ban could inadvertently push teenagers toward unsafe online spaces, such as the dark web, or lead to increased social isolation.
Amnesty International has called for the bill to be reconsidered, stating that “a ban that isolates young people will not meet the government’s objective of improving young people’s lives.”
Concerns have also been raised about how the law will be enforced. Tech experts warn that requiring age-verification measures might lead to privacy risks, as platforms may collect extensive personal data from users.
The law has sparked intense public debate, with over 15,000 submissions received in just one day after tech billionaire Elon Musk highlighted the proposal on his social media platform, X. Many of the submissions opposed the legislation, questioning its practicality and potential unintended consequences.
The law will take effect in 12 months, giving the government time to develop and test age-verification technologies to ensure smooth implementation.
While the legislation marks a global first, its success will depend on how effectively it balances protecting children’s mental health with respecting privacy and ensuring young people do not feel excluded or isolated.