No social media for Australian kids? Here’s why – Check out age limit, other deets

Social media ban in Australia: The Australian government plans to legislate a ban on social media for children under 16, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Thursday, labelling it a “world-leading” measure expected to become law by late next year.

In an effort to prevent children from accessing social media platforms, Australia is trialling an age-verification system, part of what Albanese described as some of the strictest digital controls in the world.

Social media is harming our kids, says Australian PM 

"Social media is harming our kids, and it's time to address it," Albanese stated in a press conference, highlighting concerns about the effects of social media on children’s mental and physical health. 

Albanese cited specific risks, including the impact on girls’ body image and exposure to misogynistic content targeting boys. “For a 14-year-old navigating a complex time in life, being exposed to such content can be extremely challenging. We’re listening, and we’re acting,” he added.

Highest age limit for social media in the world

This proposed policy includes stringent measures not seen elsewhere, such as the highest age limit set by any country for social media access, with no allowance for parental consent or pre-existing accounts. Age verification methods under consideration include biometrics and government identification.

The proposed legislation, supported by the opposition Liberal Party, is expected to be introduced into Parliament later this year, with the laws coming into effect 12 months after approval.

Meta, TikTok, X to be affected

The responsibility for enforcing the ban will rest with social media platforms, not parents or young people, according to Albanese. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland noted that platforms likely to be impacted include Meta’s Instagram and Facebook, Bytedance’s TikTok, Elon Musk ’s X, and Alphabet’s YouTube.

While TikTok declined to comment, other major companies, including Meta, Alphabet, and X, have not responded. However, the Digital Industry Group, representing companies such as Meta, TikTok, X, and Google , warned that the measure could push young users to more unregulated areas of the internet, potentially cutting them off from valuable support networks. 

DIGI’s Managing Director Sunita Bose called for a more “balanced approach,” stressing the importance of age-appropriate digital spaces and education to address online harm.

Similar efforts have been made globally, with France proposing a ban on social media for those under 15 last year, though with an exemption for parental consent. In the United States, a longstanding law requires parental consent for technology companies to collect data on users under 13, which has led most platforms to restrict access for younger children.

(With Reuters inputs)