Australia Bans Social Media for Children Under 16 in World-First Law

Australia enacted the world's most comprehensive social media protections for children in 2025, banning all social media accounts for users under 16, as reported by Mashable. The groundbreaking law applies to platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Snapchat.

The legislation was driven by a growing body of evidence showing that social media can lead to depression, anxiety, and isolation in young people, particularly status-sensitive teenagers. An increasing number of US states are also enacting bans on smartphones in schools.

“The groundbreaking law applies to platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Snapchat.”

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.