Australia has begun enforcing a first-of-its-kind law banning social media for children under 16. The ban took effect on December 10, 2025. It applies to ten major platforms, including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it a "proud day" for Australia. He said the law helps families take back power from big tech companies. The goal is to protect young people during a critical stage of their development. Officials want to shield them from addictive design and harmful content.
Social media companies now face large fines if they fail to block underage users. Penalties can reach 49.5 million Australian dollars for serious breaches. The companies, not parents or children, are responsible for enforcing the rules.
The law requires platforms to take"reasonable steps" to stop under-16s from having accounts. Existing accounts belonging to minors are being deactivated. The rules also stop new accounts from being created.
Children and parents will not be punished for trying to access social media. The penalty system targets the tech platforms directly.
Platforms must use age-assurance technology to verify users. This can include several methods. Companies may ask for a government ID, like a driver's license. They can also use artificial intelligence to estimate age from a selfie. A third method is "age inference." This analyzes a user's posts and online behavior to guess their age.
Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, began closing teen accounts on December 4. The company said users who were removed by mistake could prove their age with an ID or video selfie.
The reaction from young Australians has been mixed.Some teens told the BBC they felt insulted by the new rule. They argued social media is a key part of their social life and identity.
"I believe social media has done more good than harm," said Molly, 14, from Brisbane. She said it provides an important way to unwind and connect with friends.
Other teens have accepted the change. Sophia, 14, from Brisbane, had her Snapchat access cut suddenly. "I have mixed feelings about this ban but overall, I think it will have a positive impact," she said.
Many teens are already looking for ways around the ban. Some have posted celebratory comments on the Prime Minister's TikTok account, boasting they "got past it". Others are downloading lesser-known apps like Lemon8 and Yope. Experts warn these alternative apps will also have to follow the law.
Parents are also divided. Some strongly support the government's action. "The phones are addictive by design," said parent advocate Dany Elachi. He said parents cannot compete with trillion-dollar companies designed to capture children's attention.
Other parents worry the ban is too broad. Tasmanian mother Kelly Halidone said the timing during summer holidays is "cruel". She argued it cuts teens off from friends when connection matters most.
Some parents are even helping their children bypass the restrictions. One father told The Guardian he taught his child how to use a VPN to hide her location. "I've had to set her up with her own adult YouTube account," he said.
The Australian government says thesocial media ban is a response to clear evidence of harm. A government-commissioned study in 2025 found 96% of children aged 10-15 used social media. Seven out of ten reported being exposed to harmful content. This included material related to violence, eating disorders, and suicide.
More than half of the children surveyed said they had been victims of cyberbullying. One in seven reported experiencing grooming behavior from adults or older children online.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the ban introduces "friction" into a system that had none. She acknowledged it will not solve every problem. The goal is to create a safer environment for young people as they grow.
The government has launched a campaign called "For the good of their wellbeing". It aims to raise awareness about the change among families.
A major question is whether theunder-16 ban can be effectively enforced. Communications Minister Anika Wells admitted the rollout "won't be perfect". She said it will likely look "a bit untidy" at first.
A key challenge is technology. The government's own trial found facial age estimation is least reliable for teenagers. Critics also question the size of the fines for tech giants. A former Facebook executive noted that Meta earns the equivalent of the maximum fine in about two hours.
Some experts warn the ban could have unintended effects. Dr. Rachael Murrihy, a clinical psychologist, said the arguments are not clear-cut. She noted social media can be a lifeline for some teens. This includes LGBTQ+ youth or those in rural areas who find community online.
"Taking that away, we need to put something in its place," she told the BBC.
There are also privacy concerns. The law requires platforms to collect sensitive data for age checks. The government says there are strong rules to protect this data. Information must be used only for verification and then destroyed.
The new law is already facing legal challenges.Two 15-year-olds are taking their case to the High Court of Australia. They are backed by the Digital Freedom Project. The group argues the law restricts freedom of political communication.
Around the world, governments are watching Australia's experiment closely. Several countries are considering similar rules.
Denmark has announced plans to ban social media for users under 15. Norway and Malaysia are also considering bans. The European Union has passed a resolution to explore similar restrictions.
In the United States, a national ban is seen as unlikely due to political and legal hurdles. However, some states have passed laws requiring parental consent for minors on social media. Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel recently said the US should also block children under 16 from social media.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said her office will now monitor the platforms closely.Starting December 11, she will ask companies for data on their progress. Regulators want to know how many accounts were deactivated and what challenges they face.
An independent review of the law's impact must begin within two years. An academic advisory group from Stanford University will help with this assessment. They will study short and long-term effects.
The review will look at many factors. These include changes in teens' sleep patterns, physical activity, and school performance. It will also watch for unintended consequences. A key concern is whether the ban pushes teens toward darker, unregulated parts of the internet.
The list of banned platforms is expected to grow. The eSafety Commissioner has contacted at least 15 other services, asking them to self-assess. Apps that become popular alternatives for teens will likely be added to the list.
For now, Australia serves as a global test case. Its success or failure could shape how other nations approach the complex issue of protecting children online.