Australia to Ban Social Media Accounts for Under-16s by DEC

The Australian government has officially announced that children under the age of 16 will be banned from creating or operating social media accounts starting December 2025. The decision comes amid growing concerns over the negative impact of social media on minors’ mental health, privacy, and overall well-being.

• The restriction will cover major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter).

• Social media companies will be required to enforce strict age-verification systems, ensuring underage users cannot sign up.

• Platforms that fail to comply will face significant fines and possible restrictions on operations in Australia.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will oversee compliance and will work closely with technology companies to ensure smooth enforcement.

The federal government says the law is a critical measure to protect children from harmful online exposure.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the urgency of the ban:

“This is about protecting our children from the harmful effects of social media. Young people deserve to grow up without the constant pressures and dangers of online platforms.”

Education and Child Safety ministers also highlighted that the ban aligns with Australia’s national strategy on online safety.

Several studies in Australia and abroad have linked excessive social media use among teenagers to:

• Increased anxiety and depression

• Rising cases of cyberbullying

• Declining academic performance

• Disrupted sleep patterns

• Exposure to harmful or inappropriate content

Officials say the risks now outweigh the benefits for underage users.

• Parents and schools have largely welcomed the move, calling it a “much-needed step.”

• Child psychologists say the ban could help reduce peer pressure and protect children from addictive online behaviors.

• However, digital rights groups warn of challenges, noting that tech-savvy teenagers may try to bypass restrictions through VPNs or fake IDs.

Technology law experts also caution that enforcing age verification at scale will raise privacy concerns if not handled carefully.

Australia joins a growing list of countries considering or already implementing stricter social media regulations:

• United States: Some states, such as Utah and Arkansas, have passed laws requiring parental consent for teens to access social media.

• European Union: The EU’s Digital Services Act requires stronger content moderation and age protections.

• UK: The Online Safety Act aims to restrict harmful online content for children.

Australia’s outright ban on under-16s, however, is among the toughest measures globally.

Australia’s landmark decision to ban social media for under-16s by December 2025 underscores the government’s determination to put child safety above digital freedoms. While enforcement and privacy concerns remain, the move is expected to reshape how children interact with technology and could inspire similar action in other countries.

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