Australia Bans Social Media for Children Under 16
Australia has banned social media accounts for children under 16.
CultureGNGV Editorial Team4 min readLast reviewed September 28, 2026
Australia enacted the world's most comprehensive social media protections for children in 2025, banning social media accounts for users under 16, as reported by Mashable. The groundbreaking law applies to platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Snapchat.
An increasing number of US states are also enacting bans on smartphones in schools.
While tech companies raised concerns about enforcement, the law puts the burden on platforms to implement age verification. "We are sending a clear message that the wellbeing of our children comes first," said Australian Prime Minister. The move has inspired other nations to consider similar protections, with several European countries exploring age-based restrictions on social media access.
