Australia Set to Begin Enforcing Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

Australia has confirmed that they will begin enforcing a major social media ban for minors, and they have encouraged the rest of the world to do the same.

The new law, which would legally force social media companies to shut down accounts of people under the age of 16, was passed around a year ago, but it is now finally set for implementation.

The social media apps included are Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X and YouTube, and live-streaming gaming platform Twitch was also added to the list later on.

While the law is set to be enforced for the first time next week, apps like Facebook and Instagram have already begun shutting down accounts ahead of the check-in, according to Reuters. Others have sent users an email offering them the option of deleting their account or halting all activity until they reach the age of 16, when it can be reactivated. These emails also allow users to download any photos or contacts they may have before the possible deletion of their account.

From December 11, Australia will begin requiring a monthly report from each social media company stating exactly how many accounts they removed, and corporations that fail to comply with the order could face fines of up to $33 million.

Studies show that between 20% and 40% of children lie about their age online, but companies have confirmed that they will be using alternate methods to determine a child's age– Google, for example, will use signals and statistics found in data across its services to determine a user's age on YouTube.

However, the law has still received mixed reactions from the public. Many lawmakers and adults have emphasized how social media can be a massive detriment to teens' mental health and can distract them from more productive tasks like schoolwork. Banning social media also largely eliminates the prospect of cyberbullying, slows the spread of misinformation or AI-generated content among kids, and builds real-life relationships with friends and family instead of online ones.

Meanwhile, opposition to the ban has claimed that suddenly removing social media from the lives of teens could have a serious negative impact on the mental health of existing child users of social media, leaving them feeling disconnected or depressed and doing more harm than good. They have also pointed out the benefits of social media, which can give children new ideas or foster new forms of learning and creativity if it is used correctly.

Nevertheless, Australia has already begun implementing the ban, and all users under 16 that can be identified will be signed out of their social media accounts beginning December 10. The law is set to have a massive impact on the children of Australia, as over 96% of Australian teens under 16 have at least one account on one of the social media services listed above.

Australia is also encouraging other nations to take similar action, and the idea of an under-16 social media ban is already spreading. Malaysia confirmed last year that it will begin a similar ban from 2026, and according to AP, the European Commission, France, Denmark, Greece, Romania and New Zealand are also interested in a possible ban.

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