Every country is trying to figure out how to keep kids safe online, but Australia just made one of the boldest moves yet. After years of rising concerns about cyberbullying, screen addiction and harmful content, the Australian government has decided a social media ban for anyone under the age of 16. The Junior Age has all the details for you.
Australia begins enforcing world-first teen social media ban for under-16s:
After a year of contemplation, Australia’s leaders have finally imposed a new law of social media ban for all children under the age of 16. The law passed in 2024, aims to provide more protection to children during the most sensitive years of growing up. For kids under 16, the biggest change is that they will no longer be able to access popular apps like Instagram, TikTok or Snapchat. Officials suggested that kids are exposed too early to pressure, unsafe messages and social comparison on big platforms. Moreover, several studies presented to the government showed sharp increases in anxiety and sleep issues among young users. The ban is a preventative move instead of waiting for the problems to grow even bigger.
How the new social media ban rule works:
- Age verification becomes mandatory: Social media companies must now verify a user’s age before allowing them to create an account. This means no sign-ups without proper ID checks.
- Platforms face heavy penalties: Companies that allow underage users to slip through could face major fines. Australia wants the responsibility placed firmly on tech giants rather than on kids.
- Parents get clearer control: The government has also released simple guidelines to help parents manage tech time while the new law settles in.