Australia: Australia on Wednesday implemented an unprecedented nationwide ban on social media use for children below 16, making it the first country to impose such sweeping restrictions. The move, welcomed by many parents and child-safety advocates, has drawn sharp criticism from major tech companies and free-speech groups.
Beginning at midnight, ten major platforms — including TikTok, YouTube owned by Alphabet, and Meta’s Instagram and Facebook — were directed to block underage users or face penalties of up to A$49.5 million (USD 33 million). The law has quickly become the focus of international regulatory attention as governments globally examine similar concerns.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the ban as a defining shift in Australia’s social landscape. Calling it “a proud day,” he said the reform proves that policymakers can still intervene meaningfully in the digital world. Albanese urged children to use the upcoming summer break to explore offline activities such as reading, learning an instrument or taking up a sport.
Reactions among teenagers varied. Fourteen-year-old Claire Ni said she felt “neutral” about the ban, while 15-year-old Luna Dizon admitted she feared an initial “culture shock” once full enforcement begins. Despite her concerns, she believes young people will eventually adjust.
Although the government acknowledged the ban would not be flawless, its immediate impact was evident. TikTok alone deactivated around 200,000 accounts by Wednesday, with hundreds of thousands more expected to follow. Many of the estimated one million young users affected posted farewell messages, using hashtags like “#seeyouwhenim16.”
The policy follows a year-long debate over the growing evidence of social media’s negative effects on teens, including misinformation, bullying and harmful representations of body image. Several countries — including Denmark, New Zealand and Malaysia — are now closely studying Australia’s model as they consider their own regulations.
Julie Inman Grant, the eSafety Commissioner responsible for overseeing enforcement, said many American parents have expressed support for similar measures in the United States, calling for stronger protections against online harms.
Elon Musk’s platform X was the last major service to comply, stating it had no choice but to follow Australian law. The company said it would “offboard” all users failing to meet age requirements. The Australian government said the list of regulated platforms would evolve as new apps emerge and young audiences shift.
Social media companies are expected to use a mix of age-inference tools, selfie-based age estimation and identity checks to enforce compliance. While platforms earn minimal revenue from under-16 users, many warn that losing young audiences will disrupt the future growth of their ecosystems.
Before enforcement, an estimated 86% of Australians aged eight to fifteen were active on social media. Some teenagers have raised concerns that the ban may have unintended consequences, especially for vulnerable groups. Fourteen-year-old Annie Wang said online spaces often help queer teens or those with niche interests find community. She fears the ban could isolate such users and limit access to emotional support.
