Australia Passes Lawful World-First Social Media Ban for Teenagers

On Friday, the Australia social media ban law was passed for children under 16, requiring platforms to implement age-verification measures within 12 months, with steep for non-compliance, fueling global debates on online safety.

The legislation of the social media ban in Australia safeguards prohibiting platforms from demanding government-issued IDs or digital identification. Critics, however, argue the law’s swift approval leaves little time to fully assess its impact and feasibility.

TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram will face fines up to $33 million (AUD 50 million) for non-compliance. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the legislation an act of prioritizing children’s safety amid growing parents’ concerns about the damage social media is causing to children.

Mixed Reactions on Australia Social Media Bans

Australia banning social media for teenagershas received major back up. The backups have come from online safety campaigners, saying it will help protect children from online predators and from viewing harmful content.

Sonya Ryan, whose daughter Carly was murdered by an online predator, described the move as “monumental” in protecting children from online dangers. “It’s too late for my daughter, but let’s embrace this to protect others,” she said.

But advocates for mental health and child welfare are warning of unintended consequences. Critics, including Sen. David Shoebridge, argue the Australia social media ban could further isolate vulnerable children, particularly those in rural areas or LGBTQ+ communities, who often look to social media as a lifeline.

Suicide Prevention Australia’s Christopher Stone added that the law disregards the positive role social media can play in fostering connections and supporting mental health. There are also some tech complaints out there because Australia’s planned social media ban raises teen isolation fears.

The parent of Facebook and Instagram, Meta, attacked the “rushed” legislation for sweeping aside industry attempts to develop “safer apps”. For its part, Snapchat called the law “rushed,” promising it would try working with the government during its transition period.

A Controversial Path Forward

Australia to ban children from using social media, supported by major political parties, is criticized for prioritizing election-year optics over evidence-based policy. Concerns include privacy risks, harm to children from unregulated spaces, and reduced incentives for platforms to innovate on safety measures.

Exempting services related to education and health, such as Google Classroom and Kids Helpline, but the law has wider implications for how to balance safety, privacy, and access. With platforms now getting ready for compliance, the move will be closely watched by the global tech industry for its effectiveness. Whether the Australia social media ban becomes a template for other countries or a cautionary tale, only time will tell.

Inside Telecom provides you with an extensive list of content covering all aspects of the tech industry. Keep an eye on our Tech sections to stay informed and up-to-date with our daily articles.