Hundreds of thousands of Australian teenagers woke Wednesday to discover that their social media accounts were either logged out or deactivated, following the introduction of a new law that prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from using such platforms. The measure represents a broad government initiative aimed at shielding children from the potential negative impacts of social media, placing Australia at the forefront of global efforts to regulate online platforms that parents and educators increasingly view as harmful to younger users.
For many teenagers, the immediate effects were apparent but uneven. Luca Hagop, 15, returned from a school camp on Wednesday to find that his Snapchat and Facebook accounts were no longer accessible, although he was still able to use Instagram and YouTube. His father, Adrian Hagop, noted that Luca shrugged off the change, as he was primarily interested in the latter two platforms.
Passed a year ago, the legislation requires major technology companies, including Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X, and YouTube, to identify and disable the accounts of Australian users under 16. Companies that fail to take “reasonable steps” to remove underage accounts face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars, approximately $33 million. The lead-up to the law’s implementation was marked by uncertainty and debate, including questions about its feasibility, concerns about privacy and civil rights, and disputes over which platforms would be subject to the ban. Most of the affected services have said they will comply, with some deactivating accounts in the days immediately preceding the law’s enforcement. Critics have pointed out that the government’s definition of social media remains unclear and warn that younger users may migrate to less-regulated areas of the internet.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized Australia’s global leadership role in holding technology companies accountable for their influence on children. “It is one of the biggest social and cultural changes that our nation has faced,” Mr. Albanese said. “It’s a profound reform which will continue to reverberate around the world in coming months, to assist not just this generation, but generations to come.” During a public statement in Sydney, Mr. Albanese was joined by 12-year-old Flossie from Tasmania, who highlighted the manipulative nature of social media algorithms on young minds. “We deserve the chance to figure out who we are without algorithms telling us what to like, what to think and how to feel,” Flossie said.
Communications Minister Anika Wells noted that other countries have expressed interest in the legislation after her presentation at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Denmark and Malaysia, she said, are considering similar restrictions. Companies are also required to report the number of underage accounts on their platforms immediately before and after the ban, as well as for six subsequent months. Age verification is left to the discretion of the companies, with some platforms testing facial analysis technology in the days leading up to the law, though inaccuracies were reported. The legislation explicitly prohibits requiring government-issued identification as the sole method for verifying age to protect user privacy.
Australia’s eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, said officials plan to monitor the law’s long-term impact on teenagers, including effects on sleep, social interactions, academic performance, and antidepressant use. “We’ll be looking at a vast amount of data,” she said. “This will be longitudinal, we’ll be looking at short-term impacts, medium-term, and longer-term.” According to the eSafety commissioner, 95 percent of Australian teenagers aged 13 to 15 used social media in 2024, with YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram the most popular services.
Legal challenges and human rights concerns have also emerged. Two teenagers, supported by an advocacy organization, filed a constitutional challenge in Australia’s high court, arguing the law infringes on their right to political communication. Reports indicate that Reddit is preparing to contest the law as well. Human rights groups, including the Australian Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International, caution that a blanket ban may be ineffective. “Many young people will no doubt find ways to avoid the restrictions,” Amnesty International stated. “A ban simply means they will continue to be exposed to the same harms but in secret, leaving them at even greater risk.” Critics further warn that the law could disproportionately impact teens in remote areas, minority communities, or those with disabilities who rely on social media to connect with peers.
Social Media Ban for Children
Australia’s new legislation represents a significant regulatory step intended to protect young people from the potential harms of social media. While the law is designed to enforce age restrictions and hold platforms accountable, questions remain about its effectiveness, potential legal challenges, and the long-term impact on teenagers who rely on online communities for social, educational, and personal support.
