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Australia bans all social media for children under 16

2025-10-20 20:54:08Lifestyle SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Australia bans all social media for children under 16
Illustrative photo

The Australian government is preparing to implement one of the world's strictest measures against the use of social media by minors.

Starting December 10, 2025, children under the age of 16 will be banned from opening or having accounts on major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, and YouTube. This will be the first time a country has implemented such a nationwide ban for this age group.

The new law forces social media companies to take “reasonable steps” to verify the age of users and prevent access by children under 16. If companies fail to comply with the law, they could face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (about 28 million euros).

The Australian government has launched an information campaign to prepare parents and children ahead of the new rules. Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells said the main aim was to restore children to a healthier childhood and ensure young people have time to develop their identities without interference from digital platforms. She stressed that “we want children to have a childhood” and “parents to have peace of mind”.

Australia's decision is being closely watched by other countries concerned about the impact of social media on children.

Denmark's ambassador to Australia, Ingrid Dahl-Madsen, said her country was watching the Australian approach with interest and planned to use its current presidency of the Council of the European Union to push forward the child protection agenda at the European level. Denmark has proposed an age limit of 15 and is considering tax exemptions for parents who help their 13-14 year old children stay off social media.

However, the Australian law has not been met with opposition. More than 140 Australian and international academics signed an open letter against age restrictions, calling them a “very weak instrument” for effectively addressing the dangers of social media. They argue that such a ban could have unintended consequences, including social isolation and limiting access to educational content.

Despite criticism, the law was passed with broad political and public support, and platforms have had a year to develop appropriate age verification tools, even though there is currently no 100% accurate technology for this purpose.

Australia's Electronic Safety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, described the move as "a monumental event" that will profoundly impact young people. She stressed the need for a careful and supportive transition, helping children archive digital memories, maintain contact with friends and access mental health support if they feel isolated.

The government and relevant agencies have provided practical guidance for parents, including alternative ways to follow online content outside of social media, in an effort to minimize the negative impacts of the expected changes.

Ultimately, this Australian initiative could serve as a global experiment in how countries can protect young people in an increasingly dominant and complex digital age.


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