Social media ban for children under 16 starts in Australia
MELBOURNE, Dec 10: Australia has launched a pioneering social media ban for children under 16, aiming to give parents greater control and protect young users from online harm.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the law as empowering families and safeguarding childhood, while acknowledging the difficulties of enforcing it.
Platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, Kick, and Twitch face fines up to AUD 49.5 million (USD 32.9 million) if they fail to remove accounts of under-16 users.
Some children were distressed after losing access, and others tried to bypass age verification using facial features or VPNs.
Communications Minister Anika Wells said attempts to evade detection would be temporary, as platforms must continuously monitor under-16 accounts.
By Wednesday, over 200,000 TikTok accounts in Australia had been deactivated.
The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, will monitor compliance and report publicly by Christmas.
Supporters emphasized the law’s social benefits. Wayne Holdsworth, whose son died after an online sextortion scam, called it a crucial step to educate children on online dangers.
Twelve-year-old Flossie Brodribb praised the ban for promoting healthier, safer, and more real-world-connected childhoods.
However, families like Simone Clements’ face professional and financial impacts.
Her 15-year-old twins, who work as actors, models, and influencers, rely on social media for exposure and income, and the ban limits their ability to maintain online portfolios and reach young followers.
Albanese stressed the law’s complexity and imperfections but said it reinforces tech companies’ social responsibility.
The measure positions Australia as a global leader in regulating youth access to social media, setting a precedent for other countries.
The ban seeks to protect children, empower parents, and hold tech giants accountable while addressing unintended consequences for families who depend on social media professionally. (AP)
