Sydney : Australia has introduced the world’s first nationwide social media ban for children under 16, a sweeping measure that took effect on December 10, 2025, aimed at combating rising tech addiction and mental health disorders among young users. Under the new law, platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube must block access for minors using strict facial recognition and government ID verification systems.
Non-compliant companies face penalties of up to AUD 50 million (USD 33 million), making it one of the most aggressive digital safety frameworks ever adopted. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the legislation a “lifeline for a generation drowning in addictive algorithms,” citing links between social media usage and spikes in teen anxiety, cyberbullying, and sleep disruption.
Early rollout reports highlighted loopholes, with some teenagers bypassing restrictions through VPNs, but enforcement teams are scaling up rapidly. The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, will oversee compliance, while X (formerly Twitter) has requested exemptions from the mandate.
Tech companies and digital rights advocates have criticized the move as limiting free speech and innovation, but the policy has gained strong support from parents, who see it as a vital step toward safeguarding children from harmful online ecosystems.
The law affects an estimated 2.6 million Australian minors and has already sparked global interest among policymakers, particularly in Europe, where similar investigations into platform design harms are underway. Despite a “bumpy” rollout, Albanese insists the new regime will reduce youth self-harm risks and “ultimately save lives.”
