The Australian government has announced an impending ban on social media access for children under the age of 16, marking a significant policy shift in online safety regulations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking in a press conference Thursday, unveiled the measure as a “world-leading package” aimed at mitigating the harms of social media on minors. The legislation, if passed, would impose some of the strictest social media restrictions globally and is expected to be enforced by late 2025.
“Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I’m calling time on it,” said Albanese. “This is about creating a safer online environment for young Australians, particularly as they navigate critical developmental stages in their lives.”
The policy, part of a broader national strategy on online safety, also includes an age-verification trial to help prevent children from bypassing restrictions. With provisions like age verification through biometrics or government identification and no parental exemptions, the law reflects Australia’s stringent approach. The age restriction, the highest proposed anywhere to date, would impact major social media platforms like Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, Bytedance’s TikTok, Alphabet’s YouTube, and X, previously known as Twitter.
Australia’s proposed legislation comes amid growing evidence linking excessive social media use with mental health issues among youth. Mental health professionals and researchers worldwide have raised alarms over social media’s effects, particularly on children and teens. According to a 2023 report by the Australian Human Rights Commission, 42% of minors between the ages of 12 to 16 experience negative mental health impacts due to social media use, with issues ranging from low self-esteem and anxiety to body image distortions.
The report highlights an increase in mental health challenges, especially among teenage girls, who often face harmful content that promotes unattainable beauty standards and reinforces negative body image. For boys, social media has been linked to exposure to misogynistic content and unrealistic expectations around masculinity. Albanese emphasized that the new policy is a proactive response to these findings, with a view toward protecting children’s mental and emotional well-being.
“If you’re a 14-year-old kid getting this stuff, at a time where you’re going through life’s changes and maturing, it can be a really difficult time,” Albanese stated. “What we’re doing is listening and then acting.”
The Australian government’s decision reflects the approach of other countries aiming to legislate children’s social media use, though it sets a new precedent in its lack of parental exemption and high age threshold.
One of the critical components of Australia’s proposed social media legislation is the trial of an age-verification system, designed to prevent minors from creating or accessing accounts on social media. Methods being considered include biometric checks, which may involve facial recognition or fingerprint scanning, as well as government identification checks.
Age-verification for online activities has remained contentious, primarily due to privacy concerns and the challenge of implementing such measures across global platforms. However, Australia is positioning itself as a pioneer in utilizing technology to enforce digital age restrictions.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, who joined Albanese at the press conference, highlighted the government’s determination to enforce age checks without placing the burden on parents or youth.
“The onus will be on social media platforms to demonstrate they are taking reasonable steps to prevent access,” Rowland said. “The onus won’t be on parents or young people.”
Rowland also specified that major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube would fall under the legislation’s scope, which aims to make digital spaces safer for Australian children.
The proposed ban has already garnered support from the opposition Liberal Party, signaling a likely smooth passage through parliament. Leaders within the Liberal Party acknowledged the urgency of tackling social media’s impact on young Australians and committed to backing the policy as it makes its way through the legislative process.
Supporters of the legislation argue that Australia is taking necessary steps to protect children, especially given the challenges associated with policing harmful online content. According to James Patterson, the Shadow Minister for Communications, the policy represents “a rare bipartisan effort to address the challenges of the digital age for the benefit of the next generation.”
While political support appears robust, the proposed ban has sparked debate among parents, educators, and child psychologists. Advocates like Dr. Julia Thomas, a child psychologist specializing in adolescent mental health, have voiced approval for the initiative, noting that limiting social media use can foster healthier developmental outcomes. “During these critical years, children’s sense of self is still forming, and social media can distort their self-image and mental health,” she said. “Reducing access could very well save lives.”
The Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI), which represents companies such as Meta, TikTok, X, and Google, has voiced strong reservations over the policy. DIGI’s Managing Director, Sunita Bose, argued that the ban might drive young people to more unregulated and potentially unsafe areas of the internet. Bose highlighted that restricting access to popular platforms could inadvertently sever minors from vital peer networks and support resources.
“Keeping young people safe online is a top priority,” Bose said. “But the proposed ban for teenagers to access digital platforms is a 20th-century response to 21st-century challenges. Rather than blocking access through bans, we need to take a balanced approach to create age-appropriate spaces, build digital literacy, and protect young people from online harm.”
DIGI has also raised concerns over the technical feasibility and privacy implications of enforcing such a ban through age verification, particularly regarding biometric data. The organization cautioned that requiring children to provide biometric or government identification could compromise their privacy and data security, noting that robust safeguards would be essential if such measures were to be implemented.
