Australia enforces world’s first social media ban for under-16s

Australia’s historic ban preventing under-16s from holding accounts on major social media platforms came into force on Wednesday. While public support is high, concerns remain over its effectiveness, enforcement challenges, and potential privacy risks flagged by global platforms.

Sydney: Australia’s world-first social media ban for under-16s came into effect on Wednesday, with 10 major platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and X, required to prevent them from holding accounts.

In a video message to students around Australia on Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the government has made the change to support children who have grown up with algorithms, endless social media feeds and the pressure they bring.

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He also encouraged students to make the most of the upcoming school holidays rather than spending all their time scrolling on their phones.

“Start a new sport, learn a new instrument, or read that book that has been sitting there on your shelf for some time,” Albanese said.

“And importantly, spend quality time with your friends and your family. Face to face.”

The Australian federal parliament passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 in November last year, requiring certain social media platforms to take “reasonable steps” to prevent children under 16 from having accounts, Xinhua news agency reported.

Platforms that fail to comply face fines worth up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (about $32.8 million). There are no penalties for under-16s who access an age-restricted social media platform, or for their parents or carers.

So far, 10 social media platforms have been instructed to enforce the ban — Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X, YouTube, Kick and Reddit. Authorities may update the list as needed.

A recent poll shows broad public backing for a social media ban, with 73 per cent of Australians supportive. Yet, only 26 per cent express confidence that the measure will work, and 68 per cent believe children will get around it.

Support is highest among teachers (84 per cent) and parents (75 per cent), but drops to 62 per cent among those aged 16 to 24, according to the poll released in early December by Pureprofile, an Australia-based global data, insights and digital media company.

Despite agreeing to comply, most of the social media platforms oppose the measure, arguing that the ban is difficult to implement and could drive young people into dark corners of the internet.

Global online forum Reddit said on Tuesday that it would comply with the law, but disagrees about its “scope, effectiveness, and privacy implications.”

Australia’s teen social media ban has drawn international interest, with countries including Denmark, Malaysia, Brazil, Indonesia and New Zealand reportedly considering similar measures.