Canberra, Australia – The Australian Parliament has passed legislation banning children under 16 from accessing social media platforms, making it one of the strictest age restrictions globally.
The new law applies to platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Reddit. YouTube, however, is exempt from the restriction.
The law aims to address concerns about the adverse effects of social media on children’s mental and physical health.
It has widespread public support, with a YouGov poll showing 77% of Australians back the ban. The legislation also received bipartisan approval. It was introduced by the Labour government under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and supported by the opposition Liberal Party.
X owner Elon Musk criticised the move, calling it “a backdoor way to control access to the internet by all Australians.” Despite this, experts believe the decision reflects public sentiment.
Rob Nicholls, a senior research associate at the University of Sydney, stated, “There is a feeling amongst the majority of Australians that social media does more harm than good.”
Globally, the age limit matches those of Ireland and Spain. Most countries, including England, France, and New Zealand, allow social media use from age 13.
In China, parental consent is required for users under 18. The UK is considering a similar ban to raise its age threshold for data collection from 13 to 16.
Studies indicate strong concerns about social media’s impact on youth. A recent survey by the mental health charity Stem4 found that 86% of young people aged 12 to 21 worry about the effects of social media on their health. Half of the respondents admitted they struggle to manage their usage.
Key risks include cyberbullying, scam exposure, inappropriate content, and trolling. Several high-profile cases underscore the dangers. In 2021, 14-year-old Mia Janin took her own life following online harassment.
In another instance, a Northern Irishman exploited 70 young girls on Snapchat, leading to the death of a 12-year-old American girl and her father.
Dr Nihara Krause, the founder of Stem4, emphasised the risks of harmful algorithms promoting graphic and damaging content.
“They are exposed to self-harm and suicide, are vulnerable to cyberbullying, experience body image pressures, and are impacted by disinformation,” Krause said.
Experts caution that a ban alone may not be enough. Krause noted, “Although banning phones and apps for under 16s may seem sensible, young people will still find ways to get on social media.” She stressed the importance of digital literacy in helping young people recognise dangers and navigate the online world safely.
Australia’s ban will take effect within a year, giving platforms time to implement compliance measures.
