Australia's social media ban for young people takes effect

"The Australian government says unprecedented measures are needed to protect children from predatory algorithms filling phone screens with bullying, sex and violence. Too often, social media isn't social at all, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in advance of the ban. Instead, it's used as a weapon for bullies, a platform for peer pressure, a driver of anxiety, a vehicle for scammers and, worst of all, a tool for online predators."

"Children under 16 can no longer access 10 of the world's biggest platforms, including Facebook, TikTok and Instagram. Australia has banned children under 16 from social media in a world-first, as other countries consider similar age-based measures amid rising concerns over its effects on children's health and safety. Under the new law, which came into effect at midnight local time on Wednesday (13:00 GMT on Tuesday), 10 of the biggest platforms face $33m in fines if they fail to purge Australia-based users younger than 16."

"The law states that Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat and Reddit are forbidden from creating or keeping accounts belonging to users in Australia under 16. Streaming platforms Kick and Twitch are also on the government's blacklist, as are message boards Threads and X. Popular apps and websites such as Roblox, Pinterest and WhatsApp are currently exempt but the government has stressed that the list remains under review."

A new Australian law bars children under 16 from accessing ten major social platforms and imposes $33m fines on services that keep or create accounts for underage Australian users. The ban covers Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Kick, Twitch, Threads and X, while apps like Roblox, Pinterest and WhatsApp are currently exempt and the list remains under review. The government framed the measure as protection against predatory algorithms, bullying, sexual content, violence, anxiety, scams and online predators. Tech companies and free speech advocates criticised the measure, parents and child advocates praised it, and legal challenges are expected.

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