In a bold move that sets a new global precedent, Australia has approved one of the strictest social media age restrictions in the world, effectively banning children under the age of 16 from accessing platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. The new law, passed on Thursday, has sparked intense debate across the nation and is expected to serve as a model for other countries grappling with the impact of social media on youth.
The Social Media Minimum Age Bill, which passed after a contentious and emotive debate, will require social media giants like Meta (Instagram, Facebook), TikTok, and others to prevent minors from logging into their services. The penalty for non-compliance could reach up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (approximately 32 million USD). A trial phase of the law will begin in January 2025, with full enforcement slated to take effect by the end of next year.
Australia’s new law positions the country as a test case for global efforts to restrict social media access among young people due to rising concerns about the mental health impact of platforms. While several countries, including France and some U.S. states, have introduced similar age restrictions, Australia’s law is absolute, unlike others which offer exemptions with parental consent.
The move comes amid mounting evidence of the harmful effects of social media on children and adolescents, particularly those subjected to bullying, harassment, and the pressure of unrealistic body standards. A parliamentary inquiry in 2024 revealed alarming accounts from parents of children who self-harmed due to social media bullying, which helped fuel support for the legislation.
Polling shows that 77% of Australians support the ban, which many see as a necessary step to protect vulnerable youth. The ban also garnered backing from major domestic media outlets, including Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, which ran a campaign titled “Let Them Be Kids,” calling for greater protections for young people.
The new law marks a political victory for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, whose center-left government faced opposition from privacy advocates and some child rights groups. Despite this, the law passed on the final day of Australia’s parliamentary year, ahead of elections in 2025.
However, the law is not without controversy. Privacy advocates and some youth organizations warn that the sweeping ban could isolate vulnerable young people, including LGBTQIA+ and migrant teens, who often rely on social media for support networks. The Australian Human Rights Commission also expressed concerns that the law might infringe on young people’s human rights and their ability to participate in society.
The legislation has already raised tensions between Australia and the United States, where tech giants like Meta, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) are headquartered. In a recent post, X owner Elon Musk criticized the law, suggesting that it could serve as a “backdoor way to control access to the Internet for all Australians.”
The ban also builds on a history of increasing friction between Australia and U.S.-based tech companies. Australia was the first country to force social media platforms to pay for news content, and now it is threatening to impose hefty fines on companies failing to curb online scams.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has expressed concern over the rapid passage of the legislation, stating that it was rushed and lacked proper consideration of the industry’s existing efforts to create age-appropriate experiences. A company spokesperson emphasized the need for “productive consultation” to ensure that the law’s implementation does not impose an undue burden on parents or teens.
Representatives from TikTok and X were unavailable for comment at the time of publication, but the companies have voiced concerns about the law’s practicality and its potential unintended consequences.
Sunita Bose, managing director of the Digital Industry Group, which represents many social media companies, criticized the government’s approach, saying that the bill was passed without clear guidelines on how companies should implement age verification or other compliance measures. “It’s like putting the cart before the horse,” she said.
Read more