Australia’s parliament has approved a pioneering law prohibiting children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms, marking a global first in digital regulation. The legislation, passed on Thursday, places significant pressure on technology companies to enhance security measures before a yet-to-be-determined enforcement deadline.
The initiative stems from concerns over the negative impact of social media on young people’s mental health, a link described by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as both “clear” and “causal.” Speaking to the press, Albanese emphasised the importance of protecting children, stating, “We want our kids to have a childhood and parents to know we have their backs.”
The Senate passed the legislation with 34 votes in favour and 19 against. Platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Reddit will be required to bar underage users. Companies failing to comply face penalties of up to AU$50 million (£25 million). However, YouTube has been exempted, citing its value as an educational resource.
The law has sparked mixed reactions. While advocates applaud it as a bold step in safeguarding children, critics, including academics and digital rights organisations, have raised concerns. Some fear the ban could push teenagers toward unsafe online spaces such as the dark web or exacerbate social isolation. Questions about enforcement mechanisms have also emerged, with warnings that stringent age-verification processes might compromise user privacy.
Amnesty International has urged the government to reconsider the legislation, arguing that isolating young people from digital spaces may not achieve the intended goal of improving their well-being.
Public response to the bill has been overwhelming, with over 15,000 submissions received in a single day—many of them critical—after tech billionaire Elon Musk highlighted the issue on X.
The law is set to take effect in 12 months, providing the government time to test age-verification technologies and address implementation challenges.