On November 28, Australia approved a ban on social media for children under 16 after a passionate national debate. This law sets a strict standard for other countries with tough rules against major tech companies. The new regulation requires companies like Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, and TikTok to prevent minors from using their platforms or risk facing fines up to A$49.5 million (about $32 million). A trial for enforcement methods will begin in January, and the law will take effect in a year.
The Social Media Minimum Age bill positions Australia as an example for other governments considering age restrictions on social media due to concerns about its impact on young people’s mental health. While some countries, like France and certain U.S. states, have imposed age limits requiring parental permission, Australia’s law is stricter. In Florida, a complete ban for those under 14 is currently being challenged in court based on free speech arguments.
The passage of this law marks a political win for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who faces an election in 2025 amid declining poll numbers. Despite opposition from privacy advocates and some child rights organizations, a recent poll indicated that 77% of Australians support the ban.
In 2024, a parliamentary inquiry looked into how social media bullying led to self-harm among children, with parents sharing their experiences. The inquiry supported a ban promoted by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, Australia’s largest newspaper publisher, called “Let Them Be Kids.” However, this ban might strain Australia’s relationship with the United States. Elon Musk, owner of X, claimed on social media that the ban seemed like a way to control Australians’ internet access.
The move also reflects ongoing tension between Australia and mainly US-based tech companies. Australia was the first nation to require social media platforms to pay for sharing news and now threatens fines if these companies do not prevent scams. A Meta spokesperson stated that while they respect Australian law, they are worried about how quickly the legislation is moving forward without fully considering evidence or the voices of young users.
They emphasized the need for meaningful discussions about the rules to ensure they are fair for parents and teens. Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, will follow Australian laws but has expressed serious concerns about the new legislation. A spokesperson mentioned that although many details about the law’s implementation remain unclear, they are committed to working with the government and the eSafety Commissioner during the rollout to find a balance between privacy, safety, and practicality. Representatives from TikTok and X were not available for comments at this time.
Nation Divided
Some youth support groups and researchers warned that the ban could cut off vulnerable young people, like LGBTQIA and migrant teens, from vital support. The Australian Human Rights Commission stated that the law might violate the rights of these young people by limiting their participation in society. Privacy advocates cautioned that the law could increase the collection of personal data, paving the way for government surveillance based on digital identification.
A last-minute change to the law required platforms to provide an option that did not involve users uploading identification documents. Senator Sarah Hanson-Young of the Greens criticized the law, saying it reflected older generations trying to control how young people use the internet. However, parent groups called for action, citing U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s 2023 comments about social media worsening youth mental health, suggesting it should carry a health warning.
Australian anti-bullying advocate Ali Halkic, whose son died by suicide due to online bullying, supported an age limit and increased parental control as a starting point. Enie Lam, a 16-year-old student from Sydney, noted that social media can lead to body image issues and cyberbullying but warned that a total ban might push young people to riskier parts of the internet. She expressed concern that such a move would just make young people better at finding ways around these restrictions.
