Australia has made a bold move by banning children under 16 from using social media.
This new law, passed by parliament, is considered the strictest in the world.
It aims to protect children from the dangers of social media, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The ban will take effect in 12 months and applies to popular platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Any company that fails to comply could face fines of up to A$50 million.
Albanese believes this is a necessary step to protect young Australians.
“We want our kids to have a childhood and parents to know we have their backs,” he told reporters.
Many parents have expressed support for the law, praising the government’s action.
“For too long, parents had to choose between giving in to social media or letting their kids feel isolated,” said Amy Friedlander, a parent who campaigned for the ban.
Polling suggests a majority of Australian parents back the reforms.
However, the decision has not come without criticism.
Digital experts warn that enforcing the ban will be challenging.
Critics say age-verification technology, which will be required, might not work as intended.
There are also concerns about privacy.
Platforms will be responsible for implementing the age checks.
This could involve biometrics or identity verification, but details remain unclear.
Some argue the restrictions could be easily bypassed.
Children may use VPNs to disguise their locations and access platforms from other countries.
Those who break the rules, however, will not face penalties.
Youth advocates have voiced concerns over being excluded from discussions about the ban.
“We know the risks of social media, but we need to be part of the solution,” the eSafety Youth Council wrote in a statement.
Albanese acknowledges the complexities but remains firm.
He compared the law to existing alcohol bans for minors, noting that no rule is foolproof.
“But we know it’s the right thing to do,” he added.
The law does not specify all platforms that will be banned.
Australia’s communications minister, Michelle Rowland, will make those decisions.
She will consult with the eSafety Commissioner, the nation’s internet regulator.
YouTube and messaging platforms will likely be exempt.
Google and Snap have criticized the lack of details in the law.
Meta called the legislation “ineffective,” while TikTok said the definitions were too broad.
X questioned whether the law complies with international treaties and human rights.
Some experts fear the ban is too harsh and may drive kids to riskier online spaces.
Youth advocates also warn that cutting off social media could harm social connections.
Australia’s move follows similar efforts in other countries.
France bans social media for children under 15 without parental consent.
However, many children in France reportedly bypass the restrictions using VPNs.
In the U.S., a similar law in Utah was struck down by a federal judge for being unconstitutional.
Australia’s legislation is being watched closely by global leaders.
Norway has pledged to follow Australia’s lead.
The UK is also considering a similar ban, though no immediate plans have been announced.
For now, Australia is leading the way in efforts to protect children online.
