Some Children in Australia Worry as World's First Social Media Ban Takes Effect (Video)

Australia enacted a world-first ban on social media for children under 16, effective December 9, 2025, requiring platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to block users under that age or face massive fines, aiming to protect kids from harm, though critics worry about free speech and potential unintended consequences, with a government-backed academic group to monitor impacts like moving to darker web areas. This is a bold move that many other countries are watching carefully – but how the government will judge success is unclear.

Key Details:

• What: A ban on social media access for children under 16.
• When: Took effect midnight Wednesday, December 9, 2025.
• Who’s Affected: Children under 16; platforms include TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, X, YouTube, Reddit, Threads, Kick, and Twitch (excluding YouTube Kids/messaging apps).
• Enforcement: Platforms must use age verification (AI, ID uploads) or risk fines up to ~$33 million (AUD 49.5m).
• Why: To combat mental health issues, cyberbullying, and other risks, responding to parental campaigns.

Arguments For & Against:

Supporters (Parents, Advocates): Believe it will save lives, improve sleep, and encourage real-world engagement.

Critics (Tech, Free Speech Groups): Argue it infringes on rights, hinders digital literacy, and pushes kids to less regulated platforms.

Monitoring & Future:

An independent academic group, including researchers from Stanford, will study impacts (sleep, mental health, school performance) and unintended consequences (moving to darker web).

The list of platforms is reviewable, and other countries are watching closely.

https://youtu.be/oaBt0J5Zj0U

France: A law was passed in 2023 requiring parental consent to be obtained for under-15s to create social media accounts – but with no set date to begin and it’s yet to be enforced.

China: The country has some of the tightest internet controls in the world, with many sites banned, but there is no age-specific social media ban. New rules do regulate the amount of time young people spend online and on social media sites.

Denmark: The government in November announced plans to end social media access for children under 15, but parents would be able to grant their 13 and 14-year-olds access. It is unclear when or how the measures would be imposed.

Germany: Children aged 13 to 16 can only use social media if their parents give consent, but there are questions over how effectively the rules are enforced.

Spain: The government this year approved a draft law to lift the minimum age for social media use to 16, but it hasn’t yet come into law.

Malaysia: The government is moving to ban under 16s from having social media accounts – the plans are in their early stages but the government says it hopes they can come into force next year.